A Homegoing Celebration for Mrs. Mae Pearl McHellon Merritt 'Pearl' of Tampa, Florida who passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2020 will be held on Saturday, December 19th, 2:00 p.m.. at Aikens Funeral Home Chapel, 2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Rev. Larry Roundtree, pastor of New Mt. Zion M.B. Church, officiating.

Mae Pearl McHellon Merritt was born June 8, 1935 in Headland, Alabama. Mae accepted Christ and loved the Lord. Mae attended church services and she often traveled with the church to neighboring church events before and a time after her health began to fail. Mae most enjoyed sermons given through Pastor Roundtree. Mae served well over 40 years faithfully on the Purple Lillie Usher and Women Missionary Boards until she was unable to continue. Maeloved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and their friends. Mae also loved her Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Her favorite quote on Sunday, Monday and Thursday 'Go BUCS'! She was preceded in death by her spouse, Willie James Merritt; parents, James and Sally McHellon; 6 sisters; 2 brothers; children, Linda Merritt, Jerome Merritt Sr. She leaves to cherish her precious memories with her children, Billy Merritt (Laura), BrendaBurney, James Merritt (Silvia), Jerry Merritt Sr. (Brenda)and Annie Williams (Timmy); grandchildren, Katrina Guzman, Jerry Merritt Jr. (Alexis), Jerome Merritt Jr., Antwonette Critton, Jemeal Merritt Sr., Chacitha Bryant, Latasha Bryant, Dwayne Bryant Jr., Crystal Brown, Latasha Henry, Frederick Henry (Takkia); greatgrand children, Maccio Guzman, Jemireka Merritt, Jemeal Merritt Jr., Jemareya Merritt, Tatyana Bryant, Destiny Bryant, Ali Bryant, Talon Rivers, ArJay Merritt, Jeremiah Brown, Isaiah Phillips, Jordin Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Jestina Brown and Elijah Henry; brothers, Robert Earl McHellon (Liz) and John Wesley McHellon (JoAnn)sister, Lillie Gail Grimsley; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and special friends; daughter-in-law, Beverly Merritt; sisters-in-law, Essie Merritt, Mary Vickers, Ella Allen and Frances Merritt; dear friend, Sister Mary Hart and The New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Family.The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, December 18th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the chapel on Saturday for the service. We are following the CDC guidelines.

Visitation
The Chapel of Hope Aikens Funeral Home Chapel
Friday, December 18, 2020
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
2708 E Dr. MLK Jr.
Tampa, Florida 33610

Funeral Service
The Chapel of Hope Aikens Funeral Home Chapel
Saturday, December 19, 2020
02:00 PM
2708 E Dr. MLK Jr.
Tampa, Florida 33610