Jeffrey Lee Merry

Jeffrey Lee Merry, age 51 of Salisbury, NC, was called to his Heavenly Home on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, October 15th , from 1:00 pm to 2:45 pm at Lady’s Funeral Home in Kannapolis with a Memorial Service to follow at 3:00 pm, officiated by Pastor Billy Beaver.

Jeff, or “Biscuit,” as so many friends affectionately called him, was born May 19, 1973, in Craven County, NC. He was the son of the late Frances Lynell Joyner Britt and Thomas David Merry. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred Lee Joyner, and Frances Elizabeth Rouse Joyner.

Jeff established a successful career as a Truck Driver for ADUSA Transportation (Food Lion), and previously drove for Metrolina Greenhouses. In his earlier years, he also worked for Frank C. Corriher Beef & Sausage, as well as Knox Contract Seeding, Inc.

He had a passion for hunting, especially deer hunting, and enjoyed sharing that experience with close friends during many trips to Ohio over the years. During these trips, he found peace and solitude while sitting for hours in his deer stand, and genuinely enjoyed the fellowship with his friends on these trips.

Jeff loved his family and friends, and he had such a heart of gold. All who knew him loved and respected him. He had a knack for making others laugh. His own laugh was so entertaining, it instantly triggered laughter in everyone around him. He also loved conversations; LONG ones and spent countless hours talking with friends and family, including many group calls. His sister lovingly joked about these calls as “the hostage situation,” commenting “We’re on hour two of the hostage situation.” It was all playful fun, as everyone enjoyed talking with Jeff. All who knew him would give anything for just one more call.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sister, Christine Merry McCollum (Mark), of China Grove, NC, brother Christopher Merry (Elise) of Cape Coral, FL, son Kobe Lee Rhodes of Salisbury, nieces Sierra Phillips, of San Diego, CA, Megan Strickland (Drew) of Kannapolis, NC, Lexi Merry and nephew, Dan Merry, both of Cape Coral, FL, lifelong brother-by-choice, Darrell Phillips (April) of Davidson, NC, special aunt, Freda Murphrey (Melvin) of Trenton, NC, cousins Misty Jernigan (Robbie) of Kinston, NC, Victoria Butler (Todd) of Trenton, NC, Trey Murphrey (Kristy) of Ogden, UT, and last, but certainly not least, Jeff’s true love, Stephanie Hammond, of Salisbury, as well as her children, Tyler Mason, of Knoxville, TN, Aiden Mason, of Boone, NC and Lincoln Mason, of Clemson, SC, all of whom became Jeff’s family and he was so very fond of them. Jeff also had two dogs, Hobo and Dolly, who were very special to him.

In lieu of flowers, please donate, in Jeff’s memory, to Relay for Life of Rowan, Kannapolis and Mooresville, NC. You can donate online or send a check to: Relay for Life P.O. Box 2438 Kennesaw, GA 30156 Attention: Relay for Life of Rowan County SK#HBNKBC (this number MUST be included)

The recorded service can be seen [here]https://www.ladysfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Jeffrey-Merry/#!/PhotosVideos/a9c93f42-3a7c-42f0-a962-fa001a26902c/b2e0a753-8062-419b-b353-7c4664f85114.