Merrix, Emory Sidney

Emory Sidney Merrix, 82, of 124 Twin Pine Lane, Princeton, W.Va. and formerly of the New River Valley, died on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at a Princeton hospital.

Born on January 16, 1925 in Stoney Creek, Va., he was a son of the late John Henry and Ollie Belle Jones Merrix. He had been a resident of Mercer County for 37 years and was a member of the Church of God. He was a World War II veteran and served in the United States Marines 6th Division at Melanesia and Micronesia during the Tsing Tao China Surrender.

He was the last surviving member of his family of 16 children. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Almeda Neal Merrix.

Survivors include his daughters, Carol Allen and husband, Richard, of Princeton, Mary Colley and husband, Jim, of Lancaster, S.C. and Sandi Merrix of Radford, Va.; son, Mike Merrix of Lancaster, S.C.; grandchildren, Mark Neel, Terri Marrazi, Lori Pringle and Dawn Jarrell; greatgrandchildren, Justin Neal, Mikayla Jarrell, Cassadye Mann, James Pringle, James Small and Shawn Merritt; and special friend, Joyce Hill.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with Minister Brad Puckett officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Bluefield, Va. with Richard Sigmon, Joe Hall, Justin Neal, John Clark, Dennis Thompson, Franklin Hutchinson, and Danny Lusk serving as pallbearers.

Friends may call on Friday, November 2, 2007 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the Merrix family.