A Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Jerome Willie Merritt, Sr. of Tampa who passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2020 will be held on Saturday, February 29th, 2:00 p.m. at New Salem Primitive Baptist Church, 1605 N. Nebraska Ave., Elder Benjamin Curry, pastor. The interment will be in Orange Hill Cemetery. Jerome was born September 9, 1958 in Tampa, Florida to his late father, Willie James Merritt and mother, Mae Merritt. He enjoyed watching sports, barbecuing, spending time with his family and working. He was preceded in death by his father, and sister Linda Merritt; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward Strother and Ernestine Upshaw and sister-in-law, Ernestine Arnold. He leaves to cherish his wife, Beverly Merritt; mother, Mae Merritt; children, Antwonette Critton and Jerome Merritt, Jr.; grandchildren, Talon Rivers and Arjay Merritt; brothers, Billy Joe Merritt (Laura), James Merritt (Sylvia) and Jerry Merritt (Brenda); sisters, Brenda Burney and Annie Williams (Timothy); brothers-in-law, Edward Strother (Sharon), Isreal and James Strother, and Samuel Arnold; sisters-in-law, Tangela Miller (Ernest) and Prudence Strother; aunts, Gail Grimsley and Essie Merritt; uncles, John Wesley McHellon (Joann) and Robert Earl McHellon (Elizabeth) and Theodore Merritt (Francis); nieces and nephews, Chacitha and Latasha Bryant, Katrina Guzman, Dwayne Bryant, Jerry Merritt (Alexis) and Jameal Merritt, Shantell, Sameika and Samuel Arnold, Edward (Shadominique), Ashley, Shannon and Cierra Strother, Erneisha and Ernie Miller, Esoterica, Arriana, Amir and Colisha; the International Longshoremen colleagues; and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him. The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, February 28th, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service.

Visitation
The Chapel of Hope Aikens Funeral Home Chapel
Friday, February 28, 2020
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
2708 E Dr. MLK Jr.
Tampa, Florida 33610

Funeral Service
New Salem P.B. Church
Saturday, February 29, 2020
02:00 PM
1605 N. Nebraska
Tampa, FL 33602