Janice Merritt

Janice McIntosh “Jan” Merritt, 76, of Lake Blackshear, Georgia, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Maple Court Assisted Living, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Lake Blackshear Baptist Church, with Brother Phil Streetman officiating. Visitation with the family will begin at 1:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. CST at Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens in Enterprise, Alabama.

Janice was born April 2, 1950, in Enterprise, Alabama, to Louie and Edna McIntosh. She was raised in Chancellor, Alabama, and graduated from Coffee Springs High School in 1968. She later earned a nursing degree from Wallace Community College and worked for seventeen years at Tift Regional Medical Center. In 2004, she married John Merritt of Weston, Georgia. The couple lived there until retiring in 2019 and relocating to Lake Blackshear. Jan was a member of Lake Blackshear Baptist Church and enjoyed traveling, as well as time spent with family and friends.

She is survived by her husband of 22 years, John Merritt of Lake Blackshear, Georgia; her son, Tony Cheshire (Karen) of Coffee Springs, Alabama; her daughter, Jennifer Kelly (Brian) of Sparks, Georgia; her mother, Edna McIntosh of Dothan Alabama; her granddaughters, Lindsey Troupe (Israel) of Valdosta, Georgia, Katie Jester (Logan) of Enterprise, Alabama, and Haley Morris (Marc) of Coffee Springs, Alabama; and her great-grandchildren, Harper Troupe, Taytum Troupe, Jolie Troupe, Colton Morris, Caroline Morris, Kasen Jester, Ruby Jester, and Jett Jester. She is also survived by her siblings, Carolyn Byrd (David) of Dothan, Alabama, Randall McIntosh (Kathy) of Level Plains, Alabama, and Eloise Tyler of Coffee Springs, Alabama; a special nephew, Rich Merritt; and cousin, Ann Williamson.

She was preceded in death by her father, Louie McIntosh; her in-laws, Dick and Iva Lou Merritt; and her brother-in-law, Randy Tyler.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jan’s memory to Lake Blackshear Baptist Church, 650 S. Coney Road, Cordele, GA 31015, or to Palmetto Hospice, 212 8th Street E., Tifton, GA 31794.