James S. Merritt

James Simpson Merritt of Columbia, South Carolina

Born in Greenville County, SC, James is the oldest son of Rev. Simpson Merritt and Mrs. Nettie Wolfe Merritt.  He is survived by two brothers, Dr. John Merritt of Tampa, FL and Dr. Carey Merritt, of Jacksonville, FL, one sister Mrs. Becky Etters of Greenwood, SC, three daughters, Sally Merritt of Columbia, SC and Courtney Merritt and Jamie Lauren Merritt, both of Anderson, SC, and by three grandchildren.

He is a graduate of Wren High School in Powdersville, SC and the University of South Carolina with Bachelors and Master’s Degrees in Education.

He had a career in teaching and in counseling. He was active in the civil rights movement in the 1960s and 70s, volunteering as the first white teacher in a formerly black school in Anderson County, at Spearman High School. He was also active in the Urban League and other social movements.

Memorial service will be at Carpenter’s Chapel in Powdersville, SC on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 2:00 PM, and he will be interred at the family cemetery in Powdersville.