Olan Richard Hall was born on January 7, 1952, to the late, John Ellis Hall and Lera Jones. Richard was also known as “The Great One” by many of his close friends and family. He worked as a brick mason, the roofing industry, logging and farming. His hobbies included fishing, playing pool and hanging out with his friends. Richard would occasionally attend Mt. Mariah AME Church. On July 6, 2019, God saw that Richard had grown weary of this old world and called him home to be with the Lord. Richard was preceded in death by both parents and two brothers, Raymond and Marion Theodore Merritt.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his children, Nikki Bennett, Atlanta, Ga., and Charles L. Bennett, Jesup, Ga.; one sister, Shirley Merritt, Jesup, Ga.; seven brothers, Willie Frank Merritt, Philadelphia, Pa., Glenn Thomas, Alma, Ga., Ernest (Edie) Merritt, Jesup. Ga., Freddie (Queenie) Buxton, Jesup, Ga., Edward Lee Hall, Mt. Vernon, Ga., and James and Charles Merritt of Jesup, Ga.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, who will miss him dearly.