Raymond Hall Merrill-Roper Pisgah Forest – Raymond Hall Merrill-Roper, 45, passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2011. A native of Transylvania County, he was the son of the Janette "Missy" Lowrey of Pisgah Forest and the late Weldon B. Merrill. Mr. Merrill was a veteran of the Army National Guard, serving in Bosnia in 2000 with the HHC-111 ENG BN. He enjoyed fishing, and dirt track racing. Surviving in addition to his mother are his wife, Sarai Merrill-Roper; daughters, Ashley Elaine Marino and husband Erick of Glen Rose, TX and Magan Dawn Roper of Glen Rose, TX; sons, Christian and Alonso Trinidad both of Pisgah Forest; brother, Jef Roper and wife Chasity of Glen Rose, TX; grandchildren, Brooke and Hayleigh Marino; nephews, Austin Roper and J. W. Roper; nieces, Kaitlyn McCready and Adriel Hope Roper; close relatives, uncles, Eddie and Barry, aunts Debbie "Dee Dee" and Carol, cousins, Tonya, Stacy, and Stephanie"brothers", Barth Wilson, Tony Ketch, Shawn Ingram, Sergio Alsina, Robert Strickland, and many more. The funeral service will be held at 3 pm Tuesday at Littler River Baptist Church. Burial will be in Pisgah Gardens with military graveside rites conducted by the Honor Guard for Veterans of Transylvania County and the NC National Guard. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 pm Monday at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com. Moody-Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family.