Barbara Merritt

Barbara Merritt, of Indianapolis passed away on May 15, 2022 at the age of 86.

She was born on November 23, 1935 in Lakeland, Florida to the late Vernon W. and Adah Mae Campbell.

Throughout her life, Barbara was a loving, kind-hearted, and devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandma and Gma.  She was also a loyal friend, especially to her Christian sisters, for Barbara had a deep love and faith in God.  She loved attending church and participating in prayer groups. Singing gospel songs brought her and those around her much joy and inspiration.  For many years, she attended Berlin Baptist Church and later, First Assembly of God in Moultrie, GA.  She was a praying woman like her mother and grandmother before her.

Aside from her four children, her biggest accomplishment was going back to school in her mid-50s and getting her RN nursing degree from Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton, Georgia.  After practicing in South Georgia for a couple of years, she moved to Indianapolis and worked at the VA Hospital until she retired.  Barbara loved being a nurse and caring for her patients.  She also loved coming home after working the second shift and taking some of her grandchildren out for a midnight White Castle – or Wal-Mart – run.

She is survived by her son, Benjamin Sandlin; daughter, LinDel Sandlin, both of Indianapolis, Indiana; and son, T. Maxwell Sandlin of north Georgia.  She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Bryant Clark, Jr., and Vernon M. Campbell; and her older sister, Marjorie Ruth Matheus.  She was also preceded in death by her youngest son, Ken Merritt, Jr. of Albany, Georgia.

Her Life Celebration Service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at Flanner Buchanan Washington Park East, 10722 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46229. Visitation will be held 12 p.m. until time of service with burial to follow in Washington Park East Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in the names of Barbara Merritt & Ken Merritt, Jr. may be made to Phoebe Foundation, which supports Phoebe Putney Hospital, Albany, GA, where Ken received his cancer treatments free of charge.  Please visit SupportPhoebe.org; select “Donate Now” and choose the “Gloria Tongol Wellness Cancer Fund”.

Services can been seen here: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1653418165185971