Gwendolyn Clayton Merritt, (Gwenn) passed away peacefully in the kind and gentle care of Harbor Hospice Services at Charlton Methodist Hospital. Gwenn was born in Collin County, Texas on April 10, 1939 to Almeda Angel Clayton and Herbert Lee Clayton. She was the older of two daughters. Gwenn grew up in the Oak Cliff community in Dallas, and was involved in Girl Scouts. She attended Sunset High School where she entered the Distributive Education Program at the age of 15, which allowed her to work at M E Moses while attending school.
Gwen became friends with a girl named Yvonne, who it seems had this older brother who showed interest in Gwenn. Gwenn & Herman double dated with Yvonne & Leon the first time they went out together. The four went to see a movie in downtown Dallas at the Palace Theatre. She graduated in the class of 1957 and then married Herman on November 1, of that same year. They raised 3 children together. Gwenn helped Herman in the family masonry business. Later she worked at McGraw-Hill Publishing as an Account Manager where she retired.
Gwenn joined in activities at the Duncanville Sr. Citizens Center where she made many new and wonderful friends who have also been by her side in recent years. She was an important carpool driver which carried Seniors to various Country Western Dances around the DFW area. Some weeks she and her friends would attend 3 to 5 different dances per week.
Gwenn was a member of Windsor Park Baptist Church and through the years helped with numerous ministries. She often served as Outreach Leader in Sunday School Classes that Herman taught. For many years she was “in charge” of making coffee for all attending Sunday School. She served on the Communion Committee, worked as a Youth Sponsor, and her special gift was making floral arrangements for Worship Services and special occasions.
Gwenn will be lovingly missed by her sister Sue Merritt and husband Frank, of Ennis, Texas; daughter Gail Perry and husband Chuck of Springfield, Oregon,
Herman Merritt, Jr. and wife Therisa of Rainbow, Texas, and son in law Bill Sheets of Duncanville, Texas.
She will also be missed by her Grandchildren: David Perry and wife Nina of Clackamas, Oregon, Lisa Perry, and Jon Perry of Salem, Oregon; Whitney Merritt of McKinney, Texas and Seth and wife Erin of Abilene, Texas and William Sheets of Duncanville, Texas. Also by Tohma, Tanner & Tory Morrison and their families, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gwenn was preceded in death by her parents, Almeda and Herbert Clayton, her loving husband Herman Merritt, Sr., and her youngest daughter Almeda Grace (Mimi) Sheets.
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