Darrell Merrick

    Darrell Hudspeth Merrick, age 94, passed away in Lubbock on November 4, 2023.
    The family will receive visitors at Branon Funeral Home Sunday, November 5, 2023, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. There was a Celebration of Life service Monday, November 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at First Methodist Church, 409 N 3rd St., Lamesa with Pastor Kendall Meek officiating. Interment will follow at Hancock Cemetery located at the intersection of Farm Road 2411 and Farm Road 178 in Dawson County. Arrangements are under the direction of Branon Funeral Home.
    Darrell was born June 22, 1929 to Jesse Malign and Elizabeth Jinkins Merrick in a private home near his parents’ farm south of O’Donnell. He attended school at Merrick school in Martin County, Okay school in Dawson County and transferred to O’Donnell Schools when Okay consolidated into the O’Donnell School District. He graduated with the O’Donnell High School Class of 1946. Darrell enjoyed visiting with classmates and friends at Okay and O’Donnell school reunions for many years.
    Darrell married Lois Phillips of Welch on June 4, 1950 at Robert’s Flower Shop in Lamesa. She passed away in May 2020, less than a month before their 70th anniversary.
    A farmer his entire life, Darrell also worked seasonal jobs at McBride Gin and Frank Bailey Grain Company, both at Arvana. He always enjoyed visiting with his neighbors and customers during cotton and milo harvests, and often said the experience he gained dealing with people in those jobs had a big impact on his life.
    Darrell was active in many community and agricultural organizations and served in various leadership capacities. He served as Dawson County Farm Bureau President in 1982 and 1983. He was on the Board of the Dawson County Soil and Water Conservation District from 1980 to 1986 and received its Distinguished Service Award. A long-time volunteer leader in 4-H youth programs, he received Dawson County 4-H Clubs’ Silver Spur Adult Leader Award in 1973. From 1984 to 1986 he served on the Dawson County Extension Program Council. An active member of the Lamesa Cotton Growers Association for many years, Darrell was elected President in 1985 and received the Association’s Mr. Cotton Award in 1988.
    A lifelong Methodist, Darrell was a member of First Methodist Church in O’Donnell and then at First Methodist Church in Lamesa after he and Lois moved to their farm near Arvana in 1963. He served as Chairman of First Methodist Lamesa’s Administrative Board in 1975 and subsequently served as a Trustee of the Big Spring District of the United Methodist Church.
    Darrell loved to work, six and a half days a week! He rented his crop land out at age 79 yet that did not slow him down much. Well into his nineties he was up by 5:00 AM and driving into town for breakfast with “the boys” before heading out to one project or another on his farms, no matter the weather. His sons joke that he probably didn’t really enjoy his school days since Okay and O’Donnell teachers scheduled recess!
    Other than enjoying square dancing with Lois and their friends, Darrell did not have many hobbies. However, from 1939 forward he loved the movie Gone With The Wind. He accumulated an extensive collection of GWTW memorabilia and made Gone With the Wind presentations to area civic clubs, often assisted by his granddaughter Ashley. He opened many of those meetings with a question: “Do you remember where you were when you first saw Gone With the Wind?”
    Darrell is survived by his two sons David (wife Betty) of Lamesa and Keith (wife Elaine) of Wilson, NC. He took great pleasure in his five grandchildren: Ashley Cartwright (husband Braun) of Las Cruces, NM, Ty Merrick (wife Minok) of Farmers’ Branch, TX, Katherine Shiveler (husband Doug) of Raleigh, NC, Kelly Merrick of Portland, OR and 1st Lt. Jess Merrick (wife Emily), presently stationed at Fort Campbell, KY with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division. In Darrell’s later years his biggest smiles were thanks to six great grandchildren: Kynley Cartwright, Chaley Cartwright, Dawson Cartwright, Elizabeth Shiveler, Caroline Shiveler and Daniel Shiveler. He is also survived by two sisters: Barbara Thigpen of Houston and Karen Dingus of Lamesa.
    Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lois and his three brothers: Dale, Tommy and Edward Merrick.
    The family is very grateful for the excellent care and love Darrell received at The Legacy at South Plains and from Traditions Hospice of Lubbock.
    In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to First Methodist Church, PO Box 438, Lamesa, TX 79331; or the Dawson County Library, 511 North 3rd, Lamesa, TX 79331.
    Memorials may be made to Online condolences can be made at https://www.branonfuneralhome.com/. Funeral arrangements were trusted to Branon Funeral Home, 403 N. Austin Ave Lamesa, TX 79331, (806) 872-8335.

– Press-Reporter obituary services