John Lensey Merritt, age 73, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 following an extended illness. Mr. Merritt was born in Broxton, GA to the late Lensey and Rebecca Walsh Merritt on October 4, 1937. He was a welder at a mobile home manufacturing company. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 28, 2011 in the Chapel of Sims Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m.with interment following in the Chatteron Church Cemetery. Survivors include: wife: Grace Stevens Merritt, Douglas, GA; sons: Darrell (Tammy) Merritt, Don Merritt, Tony (Denise) Merritt and Chris Merritt all of Douglas, GA; sisters: Willadean Rogers, Fitzgerald, GA, Myrtle Merritt, Nicholls, GA, Marie Carver, Douglas, GA, Carolyn Rollins, Fernandina Beach, FL; brothers: Rexford Merritt, Nicholls, GA, Stanford Merritt, Milledgeville, GA and Ronnie Merritt, Ambrose, GA; 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Sims Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sims Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.