Dr. Guy Bernard Merritt
Dr. Guy Bernard Merritt, 101, of Roanoke went home to be with the Lord on February 8, 2024. He practiced Dentistry in Grandin Village for over 50 years and retired at the age of 88. A service of Celebration of Life will be held 12 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2024 in Sherwood Memorial Park Chapel, Salem. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Preceded in death by his parents Francis Christian and Ruth Coe Merritt; brothers and sisters, Christian (Lucille), Gwynn (Ruth), Leroy (Grace), Elizabeth and Marie (Jimmy); loving wife, Nellygean Kimberlin Merritt; and step-granddaughter Sara Nelson.
Surviving are his children James Merritt (Sandra), Elizabeth Agnew (Barry) and Jeanelle Corrigan (Pete); grandchildren Philip (Emily), Chloé, Chelsea (David), Merritt (Peter) and Michael; great-grandchildren Ender, Theo, Evie, Josephine, Ward; and many nieces and nephews.
Born in Greenville, Virginia, Guy always claimed Buena Vista as his home. He shared many memories of his days growing up. His mother’s Father was a traveling preacher and she would play and sing in his ministry. Guy wrote, “My first early blessing was my Christian mother. On Sundays children’s stories were read to me, and I well learned Christian discipline, which lasted for my entire life.”
Guy had begun his education at Washington and Lee when he was called into the Army during WWII where he served in the medics as a dental assistant. He would share how he was camped on the English Channel when one night he went out and looked up to see the “Sky covered from horizon to horizon with planes” as the Allies invaded on D-Day. Soon after that, his company of Medics moved forward to be stationed at a hospital in Paris where he served until the war ended. This impacted his decision after completing his education at Washington and Lee to apply to MCV Dental School.
Starting out his career in Roanoke in the Carlton Terrace Building, his assistant would schedule his appointments with eligible young ladies at the end of the day. There he met his future wife, Nellygean. Raising three children and running a dental office, he was always busy. Payments for his work could at sometimes be surprising as he once came home with a monkey.
Guy enjoyed life and was known by all for his contagious smile and laughter. He had many great friends at Country Cooking, Wendy’s and Anthony’s where he ate regularly, as well as many patients he loved. His main goal in life was to share his love for God and make sure everyone he came across would hear the message of Salvation. He would send copies of his written messages with his good friend Fuller Robinson to hand out on the mission field in Ghana.
On the afternoon of February 8, Guy requested to be taken outside in his wheelchair, where quietly and peacefully he went home to be with his Savior. We are sure he’s now rejoicing eternally in Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church, Missions Fund, P. O. Box 2799, Roanoke, VA 24001-2799
A service of Celebration of Life will be held 12 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2024 in Sherwood Memorial Park Chapel, Salem. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
126 GILMER AVE NW, ROANOKE, VA 24016
