Margaret N. Merrill

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at Forrest Cemetery. The Rev. Joan Henrick and The Rev. Van Foreman, Jr. will officiate. A reception will be held immediately after the service in the Great Hall at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter.

On Saturday, June 16, 2012, Margaret N. Merrill, 94, peacefully passed away. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, William C. Merrill, her mother Mary Lou Goin, grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Paul Allison, aunt Margaret Brown and cousin Allison Brown DuBois and special friend Virginia McCleskey.

She is survived by her son, Brad Merrill and special friends, Jane Hughes, Julia Jolly.

Our Heartfelt thanks and eternal gratitude go out to Margaret’s caretaker, Jo Battles for her years of loving and dedicated service. We also wish to thank the staff at Amedisys Hospice Care and especially Nurse Lindsey Whorton and Dr. Todd Cross for their professional care and support. A special mention goes out to Margaret’s hairdresser, Ruthie Wilson who cheerfully exhibited the patience of a saint when cutting and styling her hair each week.

Margaret was a volunteer at the American Red Cross for 5 years. The Adult Education Program for 18 years. In 1990 she was named Volunteer of the Year, an award given by the Alabama Association for Public Continuing and Adult Education, for all her years of selfless dedication. She made many contributions to various charities and had a positive impact on many people’s lives.

She was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter. She graduated from Gadsden High School and then attended the University of Alabama where she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She was also a member of the Gadsden Country Club, Mystery Ball, Regency Club, 9 O’clock Club and the Gadsden Needlepoint Guild.

She enjoyed TV soap operas and traveling. She traveled to many countries around the world, such as; Russia, China, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Thailand, The Philippines, Fiji Islands, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, France, Germany, Columbia and all the Scandinavian countries as well.

Pallbearers will be Larry Hughes, Wes Hughes, Bryant Banks, Mike Shannon and David Barfield.

Honorary Pallbearers are Steve Springville and John Cruse.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Episcopal Church, Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org) or to the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.