Gloria and Ralph Merritt

Gloria Iris Merritt (nee Cowderoy), age 81, passed away on September 14, 2023, in Plantation, FL. She was born on January 21, 1942, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Gloria was a beloved wife, Mom, Nana, great-Nana, and sister.

Ralph Dawson Merritt III, age 82, also passed away on September 14, 2023, in Plantation, FL. He was born on September 18, 1940, in Miami, Florida. Ralph was a doting husband, admired Dad, Gaga, great-Gaga, and brother.

Ralph and Gloria, married on April 23, 1977, shared a beautiful and devoted marriage of 46 years. They were rarely seen apart and were known for their matching shirts and friendly smiles. They enjoyed a vibrant life together, spending summers at their North Carolina mountain home for over four decades and embarking on countless cruises over the past 20 years. Their love encompassed their family with wisdom, humor, and faith.

Ralph and Gloria were loving parents to their children Stacy & husband John and Steve & wife Lici.  They were also cherished grandparents to Chelsea, Megan & husband CJ, David & wife Jen, Alycia, and Isabel, and their great-grandchildren Brayden, Preston, and Marlie. They were pillars of strength and love for their family, and their presence will be deeply missed.

Professionally, Ralph and Gloria owned and operated Rena's Flowers of Merritt, a staple in Plantation for over 50 years. Their children, Stacy and Steve, grew up in the business, working together as a family. Upon college graduation, Stacy moved to Orlando and Steve continued managing the flower shop until its sale in 2013.  Ralph also served as an influential Plantation City Councilman for 26 years, dedicating his time and effort to building and strengthening the city's foundation. Gloria volunteered for over 30 years in the GFWC Plantation Woman's Club, contributing to numerous service projects that continue to positively impact the city and its residents.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at 5:00 pm at Plantation United Methodist Church, followed by a Celebration of Life in the Great Hall, where stories of love and cherished memories will be shared. The church is located at 1001 NW 70th Avenue, Plantation, FL 33313.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make a memorial contribution to the Ralph & Gloria Merritt Scholarship Fund at https://www.plantationfire.com/scholarship-fund. 

Ralph and Gloria will be remembered for their unwavering love, kindness, and dedication to their family, friends, and community. Their legacy will live on through the countless lives they touched. May God provide His peace and comfort to their family.