Rodney A Merritt,Jr.

03/12/1999 - 04/21/2024

Obituary For Rodney A Merritt,Jr.

Rodney Merritt, 25, of Waycross, Georgia transitioned this earthly place due to an automobile accident on Sunday, April 21, 2024.

Public viewing will be held on Friday, May 3rd, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 4th at 3:00 p.m. at Church of Christ Written in Heaven Church located on Blackwell Street in Waycross, Georgia with burial to follow in Golden Cemetery.

A repast will conclude at St.Peters Missionary Baptist Church.

Rodney Merritt Jr. was born on March 12, 1999, in Waycross, GA to the parentage of Jualecia George Butler and Rodney Merritt Sr. Known affectionately as “R.J.” by those closest to him, some would say that R.J. was just the initials of the name given to him at birth. Others might say that “R.J.” stood for Real Joy because he brought so much joy, life, and laughter to all who were blessed to be in his presence.

R.J. received his education in Ware County and was a 2018 graduate of Ware County High School (WCHS). RJ proudly served as a Beau in the R.I.V.E.R.S Foundation Male Leadership and Beautillion Class of 2018, demonstrating his commitment to leadership and community service focusing on initiatives that made a difference in their local area. His competitive, energetic nature and love for basketball landed him a slam dunk position on the basketball team during his 4 years at WCHS. Knowing R.J., if asked, he would have probably told you that he was the best man on the team. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, graduating from basic training in San Antonio, Texas on February 9, 2019. Serving his fellow man and defending his country, most of R.J.’s tour of duty was served in Guam.

A young man who left his mark on the world, R.J. is remembered as a friendly, energetic, respectful, kind, generous, loving, joyful person. His signature was his big, captivating, contagious smile and his eye for style. R.J. knew that first impressions are lasting ones, and he was always conscientious of how he presented himself to others. So not only did he dress to impress, but he designed, created, and branded his own clothing line that “stuck on you for life”! He was an entrepreneur in his own right!

R.J. was a protective brother, and a loving son and grandson. One of his ways of showing affection was rubbing on his mother and granny’s elbows. This was his love language; his I’m going to always take care of you and spoil you language, as he always spoke of spoiling his sisters and mom then along came his baby brother that he dare not exclude. He was a friend to many and described by a classmate as someone that would “cut up” with you, make you feel included, and would “borrow” a cell phone to take an occasional selfie … in class! He was one that would make you forget your shyness. Some of his favorite sayings were, “Got to be fresh”; when dressed up, he would always say, “He finesse that”, or to others, “You trim” or “They clean”! These are the sayings we long to hear again and will always remember as long as life endures.

Gainfully employed to help sustain his desire for his family and himself, at the time of R.J. 's death, he was employed with the Pepsi Company. Knowing that we can honestly say that he knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was hopeful of eternal life with Him at an early age. R.J. attended Faith Mission Youth Deliverance Church in Homerville, GA under the Leadership of Pastor Johnnie Mae Ellis.

R.J. was preceded in death by maternal great-grandparents, Perry Bellamy, Myrtice Bellamy and Memphis George, and paternal great-grandmother, Lula Pearl Merritt. Left to cherish his loving memory are his loving and devoted mother, Jualecia Butler; his father, Rodney Merritt Sr; stepfather, Tom Butler Sr; siblings, Jasmine Merritt, Takerrah Moody, Tomiyah Butler, Aniyah Butler, Tom Butler Jr, Rhudi Ezell, Deanna Davis, and Tionna Merritt; a very special nephew, Perri Merritt; maternal grandparents, Marilyn Barnett and Elery George Sr; paternal grandparents, Antoinette Moore and Sam Troupe; great grandmother, Irma George Mims; Fiancée; Brenda Benjamin. Godparents, Selena Harris, Marsha Anderson, and Mark Brown; Aunts, Brandi Stephens, Arabella Rodriquez, Michele Brown, Trinisha Birden, Tori James, Shirley Davis, Shamekia Lattimore, Tamara Merritt, Mea Troupe, and Marquette Douglas; uncles, Rodric Merritt, Rodriquez Merritt, Trey Burgess, Elery George Jr, Sam Troupe Jr; special great aunts, Linda Moody, Regina Fletcher, Rachelle Bellamy-Brown; special great uncles, Tony Bellamy, Romney Bellamy, Alvin George, Barry George, and Eddie Merritt; and a host of great-great aunts, great-great uncles, cousins, special relatives and friends.

Please keep this family lifted up in prayer during this difficult time.

Funeral service is entrusted to Southview Mortuary, Inc.