Abram Haywood Merritt

Mr. Abram Haywood Merritt, Jr., 77, of 833 East Country Club Road, Mount Airy, husband of Claire Frank Merritt, passed away Monday, September 11, 2006, at Fitzgerald Health Care of Arbor Acres in Winston-Salem. Mr. Merritt was born December 26, 1928, in Surry County, to the late Abram Haywood Merritt, Sr. and Minnie Lee Siegler Merritt. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Korean Conflict, and was an elder of First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Merritt started his career at the North Carolina Granite Corporation before being called into service. After returning home, Mr. Merritt joined Pike Electric, holding many positions before retiring as executive vice president. He was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Mount Airy Rotary Club and was an avid gardener. Mr. Merritt was also a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America Old Hickory Council. He is survived by his wife, Claire Frank Merritt of the home; three daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Barry Chappell of Vilas, and Sandy and Gary Bowers and Julia Ann and David Banfield, all of Mount Airy; three sons and daughters-in-law, Frank and Mary Merritt of Enid, OK, John and Kelly Merritt of Mount Airy, and Charles Merritt and Cyndy Wolfe of Summerfield; a stepdaughter and spouse, Sarah and Andrew Gillett of Kernersville; three stepsons and spouses, Rob and Emily Angle of Boone, and John and Laura Angle and Steve and Christy Angle, all of Winston-Salem; fifteen grandchildren; thirteen stepgrandchildren; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Tee Childress of High Point and Ann and Wendel Snapp of Columbia, SC; and a brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Sylvia Merritt of Greensboro. In addition to his parents, Mr. Merritt was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy June Merritt. The funeral service will be held Thursday, September 14, 2006, at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Mount Airy. The service will be conducted by Dr. Steve Lindsley, and burial will be in the Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1286, Mount Airy, NC 27030, or to Boy Scouts of America Old Hickory Council, 6600 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC. 27106. Online condolences may be at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.