Denise was born in Eaubonne, France to parents Aimé Jacques Eugéne Merlin, born in 1903, and Adéle Quintin, born in 1913, and entered into eternal rest on December 17, 2018 at the age of 80. Denise worked for a jewelry store, she loved making the jewelry shine. While working in France she met a soldier, Billy R. Reneau. They later married on December 27, 1966 in France. Denise moved to America and taught herself English. After learning English, she got her cosmetology license. Her husband, Billy, built her a shop next to their house. It was called “The French Lady Salon”. Denise later went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. She later went back to France as a missionary with dual citizenship. Denise also attended Del Mar College in Corpus Christi and studied cooking and restaurant management. She was an amazing cook. Denise was a classy lady, only girl out of four boys and she helped raise the youngest two. She enjoyed crocheting and loved helping to raise her grandbabies. Denise also loved her pets, Princess and Toby.
Denise was preceded in death by her mother, who passed in 1995, father, who passed in 1999, brother Jacques Merlin, born in 1937 and passing in May of 2018, brother Serge Merlin, born in 1948 and passing in February of 2016, and Billy R. Reneau.
She is survived by her daughter Tammy Rose and Chris, granddaughter Toriana Angele Rose, grandson Marcus Joe Rose of Kerens, grandson Nicholas William Rose of Kerens, step-daughter Judith Ann Law and husband Dennis Sr., step-son Bill Reneau, step-son Tommy Jo Reneau and wife Sandra of Gun Barrel City,, step-grandchildren; Tabitha, Tommy, Larry, Misty, Dennis, David, Donna, Connie, Bill Jr., and Jean-Paul, brother Christian Merlin and wife Gabby of France, brother Pierre Merlin and wife Martine of France, nephews; Gilles Merlin and wife Ann, and Pascal Merlin and wife Celine, dear sweet friend Janice Lamb-Bradshaw, husband Jerry and daughter Jenica of Waxahachie, other loving family members and many more lifelong friends.