Arthur Merrell

Mr. Arthur Sonny Merrell

Services for Mr. Arthur Sonny Merrell, of Meridian will be held on Monday, November 15, 2010 at 2:30 pm at Meridian First Baptist Church with Dr. Raymon Leake officiating. Visitation will be from 1pm until service time in the Welcome Center of the church. The family will have a private interment in Magnolia Cemetery. James F. Webb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

He was born May 27, 1924 in Meridian, MS, the son of Arthur and Lucille Dabbs Merrell. He attended Meridian High School where he was president of the Senior Class, and received the Alex Loeb Trophy and lettered in Five different sports. He was master counselor of DeMolay, and Eagle Scout, Adult leader of Interact, Sunday School Teacher for 14 years, and served at First Baptist as chairman of the Board of Deacons. Arthur also was on the Building Board of Appeals and Transportation Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, served as president of Rotary Club twice. He was coowner of Merrell Paint Co., organized Lauderdale Economic Assistance Program, salesman and cost analyst for Clearspan Components, owner of King Homes Inc., worked in Washington, D.C. for the V.A. as Field Inspector and Construction Analyst. As soon as WWII broke out he volunteered and served as a B24 copilot and was stationed in England. After receiving an Honorable Discharge at the end of WWII he attended Ole Miss and was a Kappa Alpha and president of the Business School. He graduated from Ole Miss in June of 1947 and was married that same year. He was a life long member of First Baptist Church and a member of the Glenn Deweese Memorial Sunday School Class.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pauline Pud Merrell Two daughters, Jean Merrell White and her husband Joe White and Helen Merrell Webb and her husband David Webb Grandchildren, Merrell White, Cole Webb and Ben Webb Two Great Granddaughters, Amy Webb and Ariel Webb his sister, Mrs. Tom Nelson his sister in law, Mrs. Claire Draper and a close cousin, Hal Dabbs of Quitman.
Honorary Pallbearers will be the members of the Glenn Deweese Memorial Sunday School Class.