The funeral service for Dr. Ronald W. Merthie will be live streamed on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 beginning @ 11:00 a.m. via www.newlifewordcenter.org website and press the "Watch now" tab.

Pastor & Founder of New Life Word Center Church, New Life Christian Academy, Father's United Boys Mentoring Program, & The Men of Standard Programs here in Sanford, Florida.

Dr. Merthie attended Elementary and Secondary Schools here in Sanford, Florida. He then went on to Texas Southern University for his Bachelor's Degree. Dr. Merthie returned to Sanford with a Call from God on his life for the Ministry. He married Willie Ruth Lawson and together had 4 children. He taught school in Seminole County public School System and later became an Assistant Principal. Later moving onto where God was calling him, Dr. Merthie started a Bible Study in his home in 1978. In 1983 Dr. & Mrs. Merthie purchased a church on 16 ^th street in Sanford and there New Life Word Center Inc. was founded. Later in 1989 purchased the facility at 1311 South Oak Avenue where New Life Word Center is now. During the time of being an Assistant Principal Dr. R. W. Merthie attended Rollins College and received his Master's Degree and then later Friends Bible College in California to receive his Doctorate of Ministry Degree. After the passing of his first wife, Dr. Willie Ruth Merthie, Dr. Merthie still carried the Banner God had given him in this city.

After 2 years, walking as a single man, Dr. Merthie met and later married Ms. Patricia A. Mozee from Kansas City, MO, who also 2 years prior had lost her spouse. Together they have continued building, teaching to carry out the Vision of "Saving Families One Man at a Time".  Dr. R. W. & First Lady Patricia Merthie have 7 children, 14 grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren.