Joe Merrill

Joe Nathan Merrill was born May 4, 1928 to the late Joseph and Alean Merrill in Winchester, Arkansas.  He was one of four children born to this union, all of whom preceded him in death.  

Joe, affectionately known as “Papa Joe”, “Daddy Joe,” and “Scootie,” was raised and educated in Arkansas but relocated to Los Angeles as a teenager.  At the young age of 16, Joe joined the United States Air Force.  It was while in the military that he met the love of his life, Doris Jean Thompson, and for two years they communicated by phone and by mail until they were joined in holy matrimony on October 19, 1948.

Joe served in the Air Force for over six and a half years, and was discharged as a Staff Sergeant.  After the military, he was a longshoreman for several months before accepting a position at the United States Post Office where he was employed for over 35 years.  Joe never met a stranger.  He was loved by everyone on his mail route and was often invited in for coffee, hot chocolate, or just to get warm during the cold winters.  While working at the post office, Joe also worked with a catering company until well after his retirement.  During retirement Joe and Doris traveled extensively.  So many family members and friends looked forward to their frequent visits, and Joe and Doris were blessed to travel abroad and to take many cruises.

Most people knew Joe for his delightful and wry sense of humor.  His neighbors knew him for his acts of kindness, and every child that met him was crazy about him.  Joe’s sense of humor was always in full force while entertaining and cooking for friends and family.  He loved to entertain and had a passion for cooking.  His culinary skills were developed while in the Air Force where he attended culinary school and was subsequently put in charge of the infirmary kitchen. 

Joe was a family man.  He loved his family, and his family loved him.  He especially loved being with his children and extended family.  His grandchildren affectionately called him “Scootie,” loved playing and spending time with him.  Joe was so very patient with his family. He was a good listener, a man of wisdom, and a positive role model.  Joe was also a loving, compassionate, good natured, amicable, and giving person.  

Joe was committed to the Lord and held numerous positions in the church.  At the age of 21, while stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Joe accepted the Lord as his Savior and was baptized by the late Rev. George Coleman at New Friendship Baptist Church.  While attending New Friendship, he began training as a deacon until the Air Force transferred him to Great Britain.  After his honorable discharge, Joe resumed has deacon training at Bethel Baptist Church in Chicago and was ordained a deacon by the late Rev. William Yancey.  Joe loved attending church, and through the years served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee, and Chairman of the Culinary Ministry at True Right Baptist Church in Chicago.  One of his goals was to read the Bible in its entirety which he accomplished a few months prior to losing his sight.

Joe loved the Lord, and he was faithful to the end.  He spent his last days talking audibly and praying to the Lord as well as praying with his family.  On Wednesday, February 24, the Lord decided that “Papa Joe” had completed his assigned tasks and God, in His infinite mercy, laid him to rest.  He leaves to cherish and carry on his legacy his devoted wife of over 72 years, Doris, his three children, Valeria (Elder Edward Kirby), Vincent (Marcia) and Tahia (Pastor Nathaniel Good) along with 8 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren (one deceased), 39 great, great grandchildren (one deceased), and one great, great, great grandchild.  “Daddy Joe” also leaves to cherish his memory one aunt, Catherine Lambert of St. Louis, Missouri, nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous spiritual children, and godchildren, along with countless friends, all of whom will miss him dearly.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joe Merrill, please visit our floral store.