Virginia Ann Merritt

Virginia Ann Merritt (Jeanie), also known as simply “Mom” by many, passed away in the early morning of 03/23/2022 after a long battle with Dementia. Jeanie was born in Pensacola, Florida, as the youngest of ten children. She spent most of her formative years here and also met her husband Richard (Dick) Merritt while he was stationed at NAS Pensacola.

Dick and Jeanie married on September 16, 1956 and they share three children: Cynthia “Cindy” Hayes, Kathleen “Kathy” Nichols, and Richard “Richey” Merritt II.

Jeanie is preceded in her passing by both of her parents Mary Louise Riddick and George Peyton Riddick, her husband Richard Albert Merritt, her sisters Ann Griffith, Sissy Dickman, Cora Pierce, Aline Grubbs, her brothers Donald Riddick, Thomas Kennedy Riddick, George Riddick, Albert Riddick and her granddaughter Ferran Renee Affleck.

She is survived by her sister Ruth Meyers, her two daughters Cindy Hayes (husband David), and Kathy Nichols (husband Kevin), her son Richey Merritt (wife Wendy) and her “like” son Lawrence Steven Sunday. Her surviving grandchildren are Katie Stuart, Emily Davey (married to Jackson), Sarra Merritt, Alex Merritt, and Dylan Merritt. Her step-grandchildren include Hannah Hayes (married to Brandon), Bethany Wetterauer (married to Logan), Christina Pike, Britny Nichols, Jackie Laymon, Brian Parmelee (married to Vickie), Alicia Parmelee and Christian Parmelee. She also leaves behind six great step-grandchildren: Medlynn Wetterauer, Rilei Nichols, Samera Nichols, Parker Parmelee and Madyson Laymon, and dozens of cousins, nieces, grand-nieces, nephews, grand-nephews along with dozens and dozens of friends.

Jeanie enjoyed traveling, she loved animals, and loved spending time with her friends and family. But her all-time favorite activity was singing Karaoke with her husband Dick! On any given Saturday night over the past several years, you would be almost certain to find them both at the Women’s Club of Pensacola with a large group of their friends visiting, laughing and singing the night away.

We will celebrate Jeanie’s life on Saturday April 30, 2022 at 11:00 am at Fisher-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32503 with a reception immediately following.

The family would love to hear your memories of Jeanie. These memories may be shared at www.BayviewFisher-PouChapel.com

Jeanie, “Mom”, loved all of you and will be missed by so very many, but we can rejoice that she is now resting peacefully in the arms of Jesus!