Rev. Ansel Joe Merrill Sr., age 82 of Pisgah Forest died Saturday August 14, 2010, at The Oaks of Brevard. He was born December 24, 1927 in Transylvania County to the late Gillard G. Merrill and Sue Burress Merrill. He was preceded in death by one sister, six brothers and one son-in-law Jerry Emerson. Rev. Merrill was a former pastor at Bob's Creek Baptist Church and Mt. View Baptist Church in Henderson County. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of Little River Baptist Church he also was employed by Citizens Telephone Company a timber harvester and farmer. Survivors include his wife Alma Pruett Merrill, two sons; Ansel Merrill Jr. and his wife Patricia of Brevard and Jerry Merrill and his wife Le of Matthews NC, Two daughters Mrs. Elizabeth M. Emerson and Mrs. Linda Shipman and her husband Tommy all of Little River, one brother Carroll S. Merrill and his wife Barbara also of Little River. Funeral services will be held Monday August 16, 2010 at 2:00pm at Little River Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Chris Farmer and Rev. Tommy Madden. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 1:00pm until 2:00pm prior to the service at the church. Serving as Pallbearers will be ;Brian Merrill, Alex Merrill, Jeff Merrill, Joe Merrill, Eric Emerson,Nathan Emerson, Luther Shipman, Angela Rhymer and Crystal Merrill. Page 2 Honorary Pallberers will be; Carroll Merrill, Darrell Beddingfield, Tommy Shipman, Ted Wesemann and Blake Merrill. Memorials maybe made to Little River Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Route 1 Box 100 Penrose NC 28766. On line condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com Moody-Connolly Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements