A.C. Merritt

Mr. Alonzo Cheryl Merritt, better known as A.C., age 78, of Hazlehurst, passed away Monday, April 07, 2025, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas.

A.C. was born on October 29, 1946, in Coffee County.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo Merritt and Gladys Jackson Merritt, his son, Mike Merritt, and sisters, Clydie Faye Sickles and Linnie Sue Merritt.

He was the owner and operator of C & S Trucking and a member of the Hazlehurst Church of God.

A.C. was a gentle, kindhearted, meek and humble, soft spoken, southern, Christian, family man. He always had a smile for everyone, and he always listened more than he spoke, which was one of his traits. His characteristics was of a hardworking man until his health would not allow it any longer.

He loved the outdoors, and Fox Hunting was a genuine passion of his for over 40 years. He belonged to various Fox Hunter Clubs and would often serve as a Judge at field Trails.

Tilling his soil, growing the cane and making his syrup with his good friends Jimmie Ryles and Ronnie Carelock, was another hobby of his. Never was a big profit job because I think he gave away more than he SOLD, but that was his nature. He called Lois, his wife of 57 years, “MA”, she was the love of his life, and she was an awesome companion, because if A.C. went to the hospital for a stay, so did “MA”.

He always looked so handsome in his cowboy hat and his cowboy boots. He took pride in how he and ma looked together, which was always very fashionable. He loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren dearly, but there was something special about that little great- granddaughter, Sutton Jean, Papa’s Queen. He will surely be missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Carelock Merritt, of Hazlehurst; daughter, Carolyn Merritt Garrett (Joe) of Hazlehurst; son, Stacy Merritt (Kristie) of Hazlehurst; daughter-in-law, Elaine Merritt of Patterson; sister, Cynthia McLoon(Hugh Kelly) of Hazlehurst; brother, Jerry Merritt of Fairplay, S.C.; grandchildren; Sebrena Murray (Austin), Bryson Merritt, Kella McCall, Riley Garrett, Luke McCall (Deanne), and Alara McCall; two great-granddaughters, Sutton Jean Murray and April McCall; several nieces and nephews also survive.

The visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 5:00-7:00pm in the Chapel of Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 11:00am at the Hazlehurst Church of God with Rev. Dewain Joiner and Rev. Hugh Anderson officiating.

Interment will follow in the Hazlehurst Memorial Cemetery with Mr. Grover Edge officiating.

Bryson Merritt, Cory Mason, Adrian Carelock , Charles Carelock, Charlie Anderson, Austin Murray and Eric Carelock will serve as active pallbearers.

The family may be contacted at the Merritt residence, 179 McLoon Road, Hazlehurst.

Wainright-Parlor and the Merritt Family are in charge of all arrangements.

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