Mr. Alonzo Cheryl “A.C.” Merritt, 78

Mr. Alonzo Cheryl Merritt, better known as A.C., 78, of Hazlehurst, passed away April 7 at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas.
A.C. was born Oct. 29, 1946, in Coffee County.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo Merritt and Gladys Jackson Merritt, son Mike Merritt, granddaughter Crystal Merritt, and sisters Clydie Faye Sickles and Linnie Sue Merritt.
He was the owner and operator of C & S Trucking and a member of Hazlehurst Church of God.
A.C. was a gentle, kind hearted, meek and humble, soft spoken, southern, Christian, family man. He always had a smile for everyone, and he always listened more than he spoke, which was one of his traits. His characteristics were of a hardworking man until his health would not allow it.
He loved the outdoors, and fox hunting was a genuine passion of his for over 40 years. He belonged to various fox hunter clubs and would often serve as a judge at field trials.
Tilling his soil, growing cane and making syrup with his good friends Jimmie Ryles and Ronnie Carelock, was another hobby of his. Never was a big profit job because I think he gave away more than he sold, but that was his nature. He called Lois, his wife of 57 years, “MA”, she was the love of his life, and an awesome companion, because if A.C. went to the hospital for a stay, so did “MA”.
He always looked handsome in his cowboy hat and boots. He took pride in how he and ma looked, which was always fashionable. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren dearly, but there was something special about that little great-granddaughter, Sutton Jean, Papa’s Queen. He will surely be missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife Lois Carelock Merritt of Hazlehurst; daughter Carolyn Merritt Garrett (Joe) of Hazlehurst; son Stacy Merritt (Kristie) of Hazlehurst; daughter-in-law Elaine Merritt of Patterson; sister Cynthia McLoon (Hugh Kelly) of Hazlehurst; brother Jerry Merritt of Fairplay, S.C.; grandchildren Sebrena Murray (Austin), Bryson Merritt, Kella McCall, Riley Garrett, Luke McCall (Deanne), and Alara McCall; great-granddaughters Sutton Jean Murray and April McCall; several nieces and nephews.
Services were held April 10 at Hazlehurst Church of God with the Rev. Dewain Joiner and the Rev. Hugh Anderson officiating.
Interment followed in Hazlehurst Memorial Cemetery with Grover Edge officiating.
Pallbearers were Bryson Merritt, Cory Mason, Adrian Carelock, Charles Carelock, Charlie Anderson, Austin Murray and Eric Carelock.
Music was rendered by Carolyn Garrett, Sebrenna Murray and Justin Smith.
Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home was in charge.