Portia Denise Merritt

Obituary For Portia Denise Merritt

Graveside services for Mrs. Portia Denise Merritt, 63, will be 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at Kelly Springs Memorial Gardens. Pastor L. L. Jacobs will officiate. Visitation will be 2-7 p.m. on Monday, September 7, 2020.

Mrs. Portia Denise Merritt began her earthly life on Tuesday, July 2, 1957, to the union of Daniel Lee Simmons and Ollie Jean Jones Simmons in Talladega, Alabama.

Mrs. Merritt was a longtime, faithful member of Kelly Springs Missionary Baptist Church. She served as a member of the kitchen committee. Portia was a member of the 1975 graduating class of Winterboro High School. She continued her education and received a degree from Gadsden State Community College. Being a big sports fan, Portia loved the Alabama Crimson Tide. The only thing greater than her love for sports, was her love for God and definitely love for her family. On Friday, August 25, 1978, Portia and James Anthony Merritt were united in holy matrimony and began their own family shortly thereafter.

On Wednesday, September 2, 2020, Mrs. Merritt began her eternal life while she was a patient at Princeton Baptist Medical Center. She was preceded in passing by her grandparents, Mary Jones, William Simmons and Alberta Simmons; a brother, Michael Truss; a grandson, Keaun Hall; and a sister-in-law, Lora Merritt.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her loving husband, James A. Merritt of Talladega, Alabama; her parents, Daniel Lee Simmons and Ollie J. Simmons of Talladega, Alabama; two children, Tajuan (Sakia) Merritt and Denitra Merritt of Talladega, Alabama; seven grandchildren, Quandarious Curry, Isaiah Merritt, J. D. Castleberry, Tajihya Merritt, Cayson Fomby, Dasia Allen and Ke’sean Allen; three great grandchildren, Skylen Merritt, Briella Hall and Quavion Curry; five sisters, Sundra (Darryl) Mallory of Alpine, Alabama, Donna (Jacob) Twymon, Wendy (Anthony) Calhoun, Belinda (Darryl) Higgins and Tonja Chatman of Talladega, Alabama; one brother, Daniel (Patience) Simmons of Fontana, California; in-laws, Martha Jane (Sammie K.) Chatman and James (Dorothy) Merritt of Talladega, Alabama; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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