Merle was a graduate of Lowell High School and The Carolina Business School. During World War II, she was honored to work for the FBI in Washington, DC. Returning home, she was employed by International Harvester in Charlotte and later with the Gaston County Schools until retirement.
She was married to Bill Gates Costner in 1946 until his death in 1994. A lifelong Methodist, she enjoyed volunteering with the Belmont Community Organization and happily served as the librarian at Covenant Village.
She is survived by Robin Costner Dew and John A. Dew, nieces, nephews, many friends and her chosen family in the Covenant Village Community.
Services will be conducted by George Ragsdale of FUMC – Belmont on Monday August 7, 2023 at 2:00 pm in the Covenant Village Assembly Room. Reception to follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial gifts be directed to The Covenant Village Benevolence Fund at 1351 Robinwood Road, Gastonia, NC 28054 in Merle’s memory.
Fond memories of Merle and condolences for the family may be left at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.
The staff of Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the Costner Family.
