Jerry Joe Merritt, age 87, of Texarkana, Texas passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026. He was born on January 1, 1939, in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, to Henry and Nannie Lee Merritt.

He graduated from Cotton Valley High School, was a member of Buchanan Baptist Church, and spent his working days at Internation Paper, where he retired after 40 plus years.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents; one son Dwayne Merritt, sister Alice Kidwell; and four brothers, Harold Merritt, I.T. Merritt, Tommy Merritt and Billy Redding.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Marinette Merritt; two sons, Darryl Merritt of Bryant, Arkansas, and Paul Merritt of Little Rock, Arkansas; five grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Kitty Sue Lovelace, Jane Jones both of Minden, Louisiana, Mary Curry of Overton, Texas, Melinda Edwards and Patricia Hollingsworth of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana; two brothers, Buddy Merritt of Dubberly, Louisiana and Ronnie Merritt of Coushatta, Louisiana; two sisters-in-law, Gina Grant and Lisa Lopez; one brother-in-law, Ramer Lopez; along with a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at Chapelwood Funeral Home, 1015 North Kings Highway, Nash, Texas. Visitation will be held from 10:00 -11:00 A.M. Burial will take place at Chapelwood Memorial Gardens.