Vatishia Letay Merricks

"The Lord Giveth and the Lord have taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).

The beauty of life isn’t defined by the number of years we remain on this side; it’s defined by the lives that one touches along the way, and how they treat others. It’s hard to understand why people are taken from us so young, but today we release her back to the giver of life because Vatisha was a special part of a well-lived life. When God called Vatisha home, He left behind two special gifts; her children, as a promise that her beautiful spirit lives on. She was a special and beautiful gift to her family, as well as a blessing to others. Our hearts are heavy and tears are falling. Today we find comfort in knowing that God allowed Vatisha’s death to be a blessing to others through the gift of life, so she lives on through others.

On September 19, 1994, in Fort Pierce, Florida, God gave Doris Clark and Sammie Merricks, Sr. an angel which they named, Vatishia Letay Merricks. Her family was a vital and important part
of her life. Their support provided Vatisha with the strength that allowed her to accomplish many milestones in her life. She received her formal education at Brunswick High School in Brunswick, GA. She furthered her education at Parisian Spa Institute in Jacksonville, FL, and later became a certified esthetician. Vatishia accepted Christ as her Savior at St. Simons Community Church at
the age of twenty-five. She was also a member of The Beloved Ministries on St.Simons Island, GA. She was employed by OPS Tech Alliance as a role player for 5 years. She was a member of Christ Church of the End Times, Brunswick, GA.

Vatisha’s biggest accomplishment in life was being a mother. She found the time for her hobbies which included doing hair and make-up. Her favorite colors were pink and purple. She had a smile that lit up the room and a way to make others feel comfortable in her presence. Throughout life, she radiated her inner strength and beauty to everyone she encountered as she traveled through the world that we call life.

On March 28, 2023, God sent His Angels to bring His child home, which was much sooner than we planned, so we'll brave the grief that comes and try to understand. She was preceded in death
by her grandfather, Garfield Seymour, Sr.; uncle, Garfield Seymour, Jr ., and cousin, Shantonio Graham.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her mother, Doris Clark (bonus dad Anthony Clark) both of Brunswick, GA; father, Sammie Merricks, Sr., (bonus mom LaSheri Merricks) of Buffalo,
NY; her children, Kairo and Kassidy Armstrong both of Brunswick, GA; significant other, David Armstrong of Brunswick, GA; brothers, Sammie Merricks, Jr. of Atlanta, GA, Markus Smith
of Atlanta, GA, Malincoln Smith of Columbia, SC; sisters, Tiara Smith of Brunswick, GA, Harmoni Clark of Brunswick, GA, Samyra Merricks of Buffalo, NY; maternal grandmother, Gloria
(James) Major of Columbia, SC; paternal grandmother, Joann Nixon of Ft. Pierce, FL; aunts, Donnica Seymour of Columbia, SC, Dorothy Seymour of NC, Karen Seymour of Darien, GA, Kim
Leggett of Brunswick, GA, Catina (Charles) Coleman; uncles, Alex (Lavondrea) Seymour of Ft. Pierce, FL, Rodney Merricks of Ft. Pierce, FL, Courtney (Tanisha) Merricks of Ft. Lauderdale, FL;
best friend, Kiana Meikle of Brunswick, GA; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends that will miss her dearly.