Mrs. Nancy Souther Merritt

Born September 21, 1927, in Greensboro, NC, she was the only daughter of Orlando Blaine Souther and Nelle Schoolfield Souther. Nancy attended Curry School in Greensboro, graduating in 1944. She then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Woman’s College in 1948, where she was Dean’s List her senior year. She participated in a variety of athletic, school, social, and service activities, including serving as a superintendent of a Sunday school department at the First Presbyterian Church. From her college graduation until 1953, she was a case worker for the Guilford County Welfare Department, and also served as a social work representative for the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina. On September 17, 1955, she married John Bynum Merritt, Jr., and devoted her life to being a wife and a mother.

Nancy remained a life-long resident of Greensboro, and will be especially remembered for the devotion and love she had for her immediate family, and for the care bestowed on numerous dogs that resided as pets within the household.

Survivors include her husband, John Bynum Merritt, Jr.; her children, John Bynum Merritt III and his wife, Susan Marie Merritt, Blaine Souther Merritt and his wife, Nancy Shuba Merritt, and Nancy Ross Merritt; and her grandchildren, Bryn Ashley Merritt, and John Bynum Merritt IV. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and an older brother, Orlando Blaine Souther, Jr., who passed away at eight years of age in 1933.

A celebration of her life will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2012. The family will visit with friends following the service in the Virginia Gilmer Room at the church.

Instead of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be sent to The Salvation Army of Greensboro, 1311 S. Eugene St, Greensboro, NC 27406 or to the First Presbyterian Church, 611 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27401.

Thanks to the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro and Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home N. Elm St. for their help and support.