Cindy is a native of Phil Campbell (population 1,052; Franklin County, pop. 30,439), Alabama, where her mom and dad, Jennifer and Terry Benford still live. Josh Benford, Cindy’s brother, and his wife, Tessa live in Muscle Shoals where Josh works for Wise Metals.  Cindy’s mom is a retired hair designer in Phil Campbell and her father is retired from Wise Metals. 

Pelham Brooks Merrill was born on February 16, 1990.  Brooks was named after John’s cousin, former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Pelham Merrill.       

Brooks graduated from Hillcrest High School where he was an honor graduate, top senior, and point guard for the 2008 state championship basketball team.

Brooks achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Tuscaloosa Troop 90 of The Boy Scouts of America in 2004.

Brooks is now a sophomore on academic scholarship at The University of Alabama. He serves as a manager for the UA basketball team.

Allie Grace Merrill was born on March 11, 1993.

Allie Grace is a junior at Hillcrest High School.  She is a member of the Varsity golf and volleyball teams, an honor student, and an ambassador.

“Boo,” as John often calls her, accepted Christ as her personal Savior in November of 2001 and is very active in the youth ministry at Calvary Baptist Church.

John’s father, Horace Sellers Merrill, was born in Micaville in rural Cleburne County (pop. 14,700).  Horace served as Cleburne County’s Circuit Clerk (1965 – 1977) and Probate Judge (1977 – 1983) as well as being a bi-vocational minister in Heflin and rural Cleburne County.

Horace graduated from Cleburne County High in Heflin in 1954 and attended Southern Union Jr. College in Wadley (Randolph County) where he had received an athletic scholarship.

Mary Inez Thompson Merrill, a native of Anniston, Calhoun County, graduated from Oxford High School and Jacksonville State University.  Mary taught Physical Education and coached volleyball and track at White Plains High School and Ranburne High School before going to Cleburne County High School for more than twenty years.  She completed her career in education at Cleburne County Elementary School where she retired in 1995 after almost thirty years of teaching.

John’s parents still reside in Heflin, Alabama and are very active at Heflin Baptist Church and with the Cleburne County High School athletic program.  They also take care of the old family farm in Micaville.