Sandra Sue Merritt

Sandra Sue Merritt, 85, of Lucasville, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Southern Ohio Medical Center.

She was born November 26, 1936, in Gallipolis, a daughter of the late Bert and Faye Dunn Elliott.

Sandy was a retired Secretary for Portsmouth City Schools for 30 years and was a 1954 Portsmouth West High School graduate. She was a former President of Ladies Auxiliary American Legion Post #23, DAV-VA Coordinator, and organized the J.D. Merritt Memorial Award at Valley High School.

Sandy was a huge sports fan, following the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, Ohio State Buckeyes, and her beloved Valley Indians for whom her children and grand children played. She loved family gatherings and Christmas shopping with the girls. She was a devoted Christian and Patriot and was a member of Scioto Baptist Church where she was the former organist and pianist.

She was also preceded in death by Hazel Elliot who raised her; her son, J.D. Merritt; her daughter, Connie Johnson; one brother, William Elliott; and her twin sister, Sally Newman.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Ralph Edward Merritt, whom she married March 31, 1960, in Lucasville; two sons, Rick (Elizabeth) Merritt of Savannah, GA, and Ralph (Joyce) Merritt Jr. of Lucasville; seven grandchildren, TJ Johnson, Haley Merritt, Courtnie (Loren) Kuhn, Lindsey Merritt, Tucker Merritt, Bonnie Merritt, and Kacie Hickerson; nine greatgrandchildren, Kenzie, Trevon, Bailey, Kori, Caleb, Hayden, Gracie, Jaxson, and Jayden.

Funeral services will be conducted at noon, Saturday, July 16, 2022, at the Scioto Baptist Church on Cockrell’s Run, Lucasville with Kevin Green and Gary Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Lucasville Cemetery. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the McKinley Funeral Home in Lucasville and an hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, PO Box 400, Lucasville, OH 45648.