Robert Marshall Merriman, Sr. age 79 of Galax, Virginia passed away Monday, March 24, 2014 at his home.

Mr. Merriman was born in Spencer, Virginia on May 6, 1934 to James Eldridge Merriman and Alice Marshall Merriman. He was a 1951 graduate of Spencer Penn High School and a 1955 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets. He spent his entire career in the furniture industry, having worked at Bassett Furniture Industries, United Furniture and Vaughan-Bassett Furniture.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Welch Merriman, his sons Robert Marshall Merriman, Jr. of  Bedminster, New Jersey; James Welch Merriman and his wife Allison Walters Merriman of Charlotte, North Carolina and his granddaughters Elizabeth Claire Merriman and Laura Marshall Merriman.

The family will receive friends Thursday, March 27, 2014 beginning at 1:00 PM at  the Old Well Christian Church in Spencer, Virginia followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Ron Hennis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Bob Merriman Scholarship Fund, C/O Spencer Penn Centre, P.O. Box 506 Spencer, Virginia 24165