Dereck Kirk Merrill, 38, of Rocky Mount, Va., entered eternal life in heaven peacefully at home with his family by his side on June 4, 2024.
Welcoming him into heaven alongside our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ were his beloved grandmother Mary Rebecca Merrill (Mawmaw), great-grandmother L.D. Merrill, Aunt Dorian M. Keen (Aunt DeeDee), and Uncle Bud Merrill.
Dereck was born June 3, 1986. Raised in Montgomery County, Dereck was a student of Christiansburg High School. In 2012 Dereck had an accidental drug overdose that resulted in an anoxic brain injury. After seven months of hospitalizations and intensive rehabilitative therapy, Dereck was discharged home to continue his recovery as a quadriplegic. Raising awareness of the dangers of drug use and risk of overdose became Dereck’s life mission. He stated that sharing his story at local schools, recovery groups, and churches “gave me purpose in life.”
Left to cherish his memory are his angels on earth, his mother, Kimberly Muncy, and stepfather, Doug Muncy, of Rocky Mount, Va.; his sister, best friend, and motivator, Deanna Farley and fiancé Stephen Grissom of Pembroke Va.; and special niece Wrenleigh Grissom who adored her “Uncle Bubbie” and being involved in his care; step-sister Bridget Wray and husband Zach Wray of Woodstock, Ga.; half-sister Stacey Duncan White of Christiansburg; step brother Adam Muncy of Richmond; maternal grandfather Bruce Merrill (Paw Paw) and wife Becky Merrill of Riverview, Fla.; maternal step grandmother Shirley Muncy (MiMi); niece Leia Wray; nephews Luke Wray and Mateo Muncy; special cousin, Liz Catron and husband Rocky Catron and sons Benjamin and Alexander of Ocala, Fla.; uncles Bryce, Bryden, Brandon, and Brett Merrill; and extended family of Florida, Massachusetts, and Idaho.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to those who cared for Dereck over the past 12 years. A special thank you to Raleigh Court Health and Rehab nursing staff and therapy team; Amedisys Home Care; Dr. Ann Austin and staff of Carilion Clinic; Heartland Hospice with Luz Carr NP, Colby Byrd RN, and Mary Heath RN; and special in-home caregivers when Dereck returned home, Susan Coccia and Shirley Walker.
The family received friends Saturday, June 8, 2024. Funeral service followed with Pastor Sam Caldwell officiating. Dereck’s final resting place will be in Westview Cemetery in Blacksburg.
