Obituary for James E. Merriman Jr.

Mr. James E. “Jim” Merriman, Jr., age 80, of Gretna, VA, passed away peacefully at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Born July 14, 1944, in Martinsville, VA, Jim was the eldest son of the late James Everett Merriman, Sr. and Mary Gunter Merriman. He attended Martinsville High School where he was a member of the National Honors Society and played trombone in the school’s marching band. In 1966 Jim graduated from The University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He lived in Glens Falls, NY, working as a chemist for several years and obtained his pilot’s license.

Jim met the love of his life, Janice McCranie, while living in Eastman, GA, and the two were wed on January 2, 1982. After relocating to Lilburn, GA he obtained his Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University in 1989 and held various positions in accounting for several companies throughout the years.

Jim was an avid reader and enjoyed studying the Bible. He was baptized on December 21, 1957, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. One of his favorite scriptures was Revelation 21: 3 & 4. Jim was preceded in death by his father, James E. Merriman, Sr., mother, Mary Gunter Merriman, wife of 33 years, Janice McCranie Merriman, and a nephew, Jamieson Chad McCranie.  

Jim will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Joy Shiver Das (Michael) of Eastman, GA; his sister, Annette Merriman Roncaglione (Michael) of Gretna, VA; his brother-in-law, Don McCranie (Peggy) of Eastman, GA; his nephew and traveling buddy, Jared M. Roncaglione of Lynchburg, VA; his niece, Julie Rowland (Blake) of Eastman, GA and nephew, Jess McCranie (Renee) of Bonaire, GA; and his great-nephews, Macky Rowland and Charlie McCranie.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 2:00PM, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 16 Warren Way, in Eastman, GA. All family and friends are invited to attend.