Ellie Lou Merritt

Our dear mother, Ellie Lou Merritt went on to her heavenly home on April 27, 2024, at 98. She was a caring wife, mother, nana, sister, and friend. Ellie Lou Merritt lived and saw a lot in her almost 100 years. She would often share detailed and amazing stories of the era of her youth. She enjoyed the simplest pleasures in life spending time with her husband and family. Years before she was in a wheelchair, she and her husband were always baking and cooking up yummy recipes that they especially enjoyed while hosting when the family would all get together. She was a hard worker and kept busy keeping her home in pristine condition inside and out. She and her husband were avid gardeners and had great success with creating beautiful productive vegetable gardens for many years. They worked hard to preserve their harvest by canning and freezing it all, then sharing and providing for their family. Her family was very dear to her, and she looked forward to and loved when they would come for visits. During the last year as our mother’s condition worsened, her caregivers were such a blessing while taking care of her and being the best companions who became like family. She loved them and we want to express our gratitude to Suerita Thomas and especially LeKeisha Bledson and Lisa Melissa Maddox for loving her and giving her the best of care. Ellie Lou Merritt was a native of Dawson County and had lived in Dekalb County for many years until her husband retired and then they moved full-time to Cleveland, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Gober and Ida Mae Whitmire. Survived by her son, James F. Merritt, III; daughters-in-law, Darlene London-Merritt and Dianne Cantrell; grandchildren, James F. Merritt, IV, Lisa Cantrell Francingues and husband Ray Francingues, Angela Cantrell Leahy; 4 great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Whit and Ann Whitmire; extended family, Charlene L. Davis, Samantha McPherson, and Lyrik McPherson. Ellie Lou Merritt is preceded in death by her parents; husband, James F. Merritt, Jr.; son, Danny Cantrell; great-grandson, Jonathan Leahy; sisters, Mildred Westry, Ernestine Bennett; brothers, Albert Whitmire and Jimmy Whitmire. The funeral will be a private celebration of life ceremony with only close family members present. To share a memory or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland.