Benny Frank Merritt Jr. passed away Nov. 27, 2012, at Crowne Health Care. Funeral services will be held Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home with Rev. Wiley Thornton officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery in Snowden, Ala., with Hudson Funeral Services directing.

Merritt was born on June 13, 1960, to the late Benny Sr., and late Margaret Merritt in Mansfield, Ohio.

Ben met and married Kimberly Huston on April 14, 1980.

Ben leaves to cherish his memory  a loving and devoted wife Kimberly (Kim) Merritt,; son, Benny (Ben) Merritt III and Liz Brown Merritt .Ben is currently  serving in active duty in Afghanistan but resides in Tallassee Ala.; son, Daniel and Tish Merritt, Montgomery, Ala.; daughter, Angela and Joe Peeples; brother and sisters, Patrick Merritt Sr., North Carolina, Mary Arherson, Ohio, Deb Lewis, North Carolina, Ann Taylor, North Carolina; grandchildren, Clayton, Makayla, Chase, Christin and Cale Merritt, Summer, Austin and Zach Peeples, Addison and Benny (Bear) Merritt IV, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.