Thera Dell Rountree Merritt, 93, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Monday, January 18, 2016 at the Medical Center, Navicent Health, in Macon, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Friday, January 22, 2016, at Central United Methodist Church in Fitzgerald with the Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper, the Rev. B.J. Funk, and the Rev. Bill Dupree officiating. The Honorable Robert W. Chasteen, Jr. will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Thursday evening at the funeral home.
Mrs. Merritt was born July 16, 1922, in Canoochee, Georgia, the baby of five children, to the late Estelle and Robert Rountree. She spent her childhood years in Canoochee graduating from Emanuel County Institute. She attended Georgia Teachers College to become a teacher. She first taught school in Irwinville, Ga., living there in a boarding house where she met and married Harry G. Merritt, Sr. on June 7, 1943. Harry served his country honorably in the United States Army. While stationed in Shreveport, Louisiana, their only child, Gee, was born on June 9, 1944. They later moved to Fitzgerald where Harry opened, owned and operated Merritt’s Auto Service and Dell taught school. Dell had a keen sense of humor and over the years when asked what her husband did for a living, she was known to say, “Oh, he dabbles in oil”.
After teaching school for many years, she decided to stay home and become a full time homemaker and mother. She was active in all her son’s endeavors and all things in the community. She served as president of the PTA for several terms. She belonged to a garden club, a bridge club, even a “Do Nothing Club”. She loved all young people and was a sub-deb sponsor, which was a young girls organization, even though she had no girl of her own. She often opened her home for school activities. She was always active in Central United Methodist Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, president of the UMW and a member of the administrative board.
When her son graduated from high school, Dell began a second career with World Book Encyclopedia, shortly rising to District Manager. She often stated that if anyone owned a set of World Book in the state of Georgia, she sold it to them. Later in life, she took up tennis and joined a tennis club, which she loved with a passion. Also, during this time, she campaigned and helped elect Herman Talmadge as governor of the state of Georgia. She could jitterbug like a showgirl and threw the best tea parties in town. She was passionate about everything that she undertook. No task too big, no task too small. She has been described as a force of nature, a legend in the community. She even had Paul Harvey quote her on his radio show.
Dell loved Fitzgerald, GA and especially the congregation of Central United Methodist Church! Fitzgerald is "God's Country" and the people at Central were as close to saints as you could get in her book. There wasn't a hug from a child, a kind word, a meal delivered or a ride to a party she didn't appreciate and recall to her family. Dell loved her friends with all of her heart. There are too many to list, but her favorites were the ones that loved to shop! She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.
Dell had many endeavors, but she considered her family her greatest accomplishment. According to her, the sun rose and set on her family. We have often accused her of being prejudiced, but have you ever tried arguing with Dell Merritt? She instilled in us faith, strength and compassion. She was the epitome of style and grace. She was the heart and soul of our family, the solid rock on which we all stood. We honor her and thank the Lord for giving us the greatest Mima in the world.
She is survived by her only son, Harry Grimshaw "Gee" (Brenda) Merritt, Jr. of Cordele; grandchildren: Mimi Dell (Wood) Montgomery, Jr of Kauai, HI, Harry Grimshaw "Shaw" (Kelly) Merritt, III of Albany, Roger (Allison) Merritt of Fitzgerald, and Nicci (John) Jordan of Fitzgerald; great-grandchildren: "Harry" Grimshaw Merritt IV, Mzee Merritt, Brooks Merritt, Eli Merritt, Brae Jordon and Nic Jordan; niece: Shirley Rountree (M.L.) Reid of Swainsboro; nephews: Mike (Lydia) Rountree of Canoochee, and Bob (Paula) Rountree of Augusta. Also surviving are her second son, John Lee (Vianne) Smith of Fitzgerald and longtime best friend Gerrye Merritt of Fitzgerald. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Harry Grimshaw Merritt, Sr.; siblings; Olan Rountree, Wade Rountree, Jewel Rountree, and Robert Rountree; and a nephew; Ronnie Rountree.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 428, Fitzgerald GA 31750.