Richard Downs Merrell, 69, of Talladega, AL, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2026. A funeral ceremony will be held in his honor at 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega. His family will receive friends at the funeral home for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow directly after the ceremony at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Merrell was a native and lifelong resident of Talladega and graduated from Talladega High School in 1974. After graduation, he attended the University of Alabama for two years before becoming a long-time employee of Griffin’s Jewelers. Richard was also the proud owner and operator of Merrell’s Jewelers in Jacksonville Alabama. He was a member of Talladega Masonic Lodge 261 and Central Baptist Church. Mr. Merrell also spent many years volunteering with Boy Scouts of America Troop 130. As a natural born salesman, he never met a stranger, and his pastimes included a love for collecting, buying, and selling a variety of items. Richard also enjoyed spending time at the lake, and he was an avid NASCAR and University of Alabama fan. Affectionately known as “Peepaw”, he will be remembered most of all for his endless positivity and deep love for his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Helen Merrell.

Mr. Merrell is survived by his wife of 37 years, Jan Hammonds Merrell; sons, Ethan Merrell (Jordan) and Landan Merrell; daughter, Natalie Merrell Fields (Robbie); grandchildren, Weston Merrell and Eleanor Merrell; sister, Rebecca Lashley (Bobby); niece, Madeline Lashley; nephew, Morgan Lashley (Katie), and aunt, Ella Ree Willoughby.

Andy Yarbrough, Tim Griffin, Neal Summers, Vic Hall, Rodney Williams, and Darrell Williams will serve as pallbearers.

Online condolences may be offered at www.usreyfuneralhome.com.

Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is directing the services.