Mrs. Willie Ruth Merrell, age 91, of Sandersville passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the Heritage Inn Nursing Home of Sandersville following an extended illness. Funeral services to celebrate her life will be held on Monday, June 19th at 12:00 P.M. in the Dixon Grove Church of God in Christ of Tennille with burial in the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 18th in the L.M. Pierce Funeral Home Clara Minnie Memorial Chapel.
Mrs. Merrell was born on April 16, 1932, in Washington County to the late Henry Bouyer and the late Sunnie Bouyer. She was a lifelong member of Dixon Grove Church of God in Christ, serving on the Usher Board and as a Mother of the Church. Willie Ruth was regarded as a talented homemaker, chef, and singer. Mrs. Merrell was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Merrell, Sr., and siblings, Marion Hurst, Alma Cason, Susie Brown, and Eula Mae Bell.
Survivors include her children, Daisy Maze and husband J.C. of Sandersville, Willie Mae Andrews and husband Jerry of Sandersville, Joeann Adams of Sandersville, Cynthia Reeves Sr. and husband Larry of Sandersville, and Richard Merrell, Jr. and wife Betty of Tennille; grandchildren, Kerry Maze and wife Jackie, Jeffery Maze and wife Sakeitha, Shapney Maze, Tony Andrews and wife Angela, Jerry Andrews III and wife Pat, Druscilla Robinson and husband Clarence, Renee Johnson and husband Troy, Angel Smith and husband Eddie, Shemeka Smith and husband Anonio, April Harris and husband Chico, Safara Reeves, Larry Reeves, Jr, and wife Shandrea, Shirlem Jones and husband Danyell, Ricardo Merrell and wife Ranada, Branno Merrell and wife Rayshonda, and Danielle Brown and husband Ricardo; sister-in-law, Jessie Davis of Toomsboro; stepsiblings, Essie Bloodsaw of Sandersville and Charles Haynes and wife Arnita of Columbia, South Carolina; godson, Minister Floyd Walker and wife Jackie; “bonus” grandson, Bernard Merrell and wife Evette; 39 great-grandchildren; 36 great-great-grandchildren; devoted cousin, Ella Mae Flournoy; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be expressed at lmpiercefuneralhome.com.
L.M. Pierce Funeral Home in charge.