Charles Winston Merritt, Jr passed away on September 24, 2026 in Columbia, Tennessee. Charles, known by those closest to him as Chuck, was born on November 19, 1954 in Dalton, Georgia to Charles Winston Sr and Bertice Lee Merritt.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Allison Merritt Bickers and Ross Bickers, Jr and beloved grandsons Ross and Elliot; sisters Shirley Bledsoe and Faye Maxwell (Alan); nephew Tom Maxwell; nieces Melissa Harms (Gary) and Amanda Bledsoe; and a number of great nieces and nephews and beloved cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles Merritt, Sr and Bertice Merritt and brother-in-law Roy Bledsoe.

Charles spent much of his childhood in south Georgia, where he enjoyed a boyhood adventuring outdoors; and lived most of his adult life in Gainesville, Georgia. He graduated from Lowndes County High School in Valdosta, Georgia and attended ABAC and Lanier Technical Institute. After many years managing crews for Landscape Management, Chuck finished his career in Tennessee as a Seafood Manager for Kroger. He enjoyed his retirement part-time job working with friends at the Maury County Collection Center, where he reveled in talking college football, especially when his beloved Georgia Bulldogs beat the Vols.

Charles greatest joys in life included his family, particularly being a father to Allison, fishing, being outdoors, and chatting with friends. He spent much of his spare time coaching his daughter's rec sports teams, teaching his daughter to fish, and most impactfully, teaching her to play tennis. As Allison grew, Charles spent many weekends traveling the South for junior tennis tournaments and later traveling to watch her play college tennis. Many good memories were made with fellow tennis parents along the way.

Later in life, Charles delighted in his grandsons as their Papa, often visiting them, in which they enjoyed many hours jumping on Papa and laughing with him. He was known to them for his love of coffee, love of fishing, and love of the Georgia Bulldogs, but mostly as a faithful grandfather who never missed a birthday or holiday. He also enjoyed many days fishing on the Duck River near his home in Columbia, TN.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 28 at 1 pm at Spring Hill Memorial Funeral Home in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Visitation will be from 11 am to 1 pm. A memorial celebration will be held in Gainesville, Georgia later in October.