Merlene Dorcas Huie (nee Smith) of Fort Worth, Texas, departed this life peacefully on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. She was born May 27, 1949, in Upper Lincoln, Manchester, Jamaica, West Indies. She was the beloved tenth child of the late Isaac Emanuel Smith and Welhelmina (Burke) Smith.
Merlene attended Huntley Elementary School. She was a member of the Moravian Missionary Church, where she was confirmed. She enjoyed horseback riding, music, traveling, baking, and being a member of the choir at Fairfield Moravian Church.
During her early years, Merlene enjoyed assisting her cousin, the Rev. Justin Peart, and Mrs. Peart in caring for their young children.
Merlene immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1969, and thereafter relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1970. She attended Springfield Technical Community College, where she excelled in typing and secretarial skills, and began working at Crescent Hill Nursing Home as a secretary for the Director of Admission.
Merlene continued her education and obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant certificate, and began working at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, as a direct caregiver.
Whether in the hospital, at home or in the community, caring for others wasn't simply a profession – it was her calling and a gift from God.
In 1972, while living in Springfield, Massachusetts, Merlene met her husband, Leopold Huie. They got married and shortly thereafter relocated to Rochester, New York, where the union produced two beautiful children, Tanya and Shawn.
Merlene worked for many years as a nursing assistant at St. Anne's Nursing Home and Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, New York. She later relocated to Florida where she resided for approximately 14 years working at the Coral Springs Medical Center.
Approximately sixteen years ago, she moved to Texas to be with her daughter, Tanya, her son-inlaw, Anthony, and her grandchildren Alicia, Isaiah, and Gabby. During her years in Texas, she worked for the John Peter Smith Hospital as a Multi-skilled Medical Technician IV for approximately 16 years until her passing on September 2, 2026.
Merlene enjoyed traveling, cooking, and feeding family, friends, and coworkers. She leaves behind a large family and many friends across America, Canada, and Jamaica.
Merlene was truly a wonderful, very loving, and extremely kind person to everyone. She is preceded by three sisters and two older brothers. Left to mourn her loss are her daughter Tanya and her husband Anthony; her son, Shawn; her grandchildren Alicia, Isaiah, and Gabby; three sisters, Maud, Esmie, and Doreen; three brothers, Stephen, Clinton, and Curwin; as well as in-laws and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Merlene left us suddenly, and she will be deeply missed. Her legacy will live on through the family she cherished, the children she nurtured, the lives she mentored, and the countless friends and community members who are forever touched by her kindness and love.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
