Odessa Pauline Mercer was born on November 2, 1928 in Dallas, Texas.
She was born the second child to Ophelia and Holman Edmonds. As the
second daughter born into the family, she would become known as Pauline
Edmonds.
The Edmonds family grew in number. In birth order there was Lou Willie,
Pauline, Eugene, Mary, Don, and Clifford. The family remained in Dallas
where Pauline attended and graduated Crozier Tech High School.
Her father, Holman, instilled the love of music into his family and was their
music teacher and mentor. The Edmonds family became a gospel singing
group, spending Sunday afternoons at church wide singings.
As teens, attending Lisbon Church of Christ, Pauline met Bill Mercer. It
was their love for singing gospel songs that brought their relationship
closer. On July 3, 1946, Pauline married her love Bill in Dallas, Texas.
Their love lasted 72 years until Bill preceded her in death on December 27,
2017.
Pauline grew a family with Bill. There was Karen, Darrell, Brian, Robert,
and Billy (in birth order). They made Mesquite, Texas their home in 1961,
and worshiped at the Mesquite Church of Christ. As a deacon’s and an
elder’s wife, she also developed a rich church family with deep long lasting
relationships.
Pauline’s family knew her as an accomplished seamstress creating an
endless line of fashionable Sunday frills for her daughter Karen, and then
her 5 granddaughters to follow. The rest of the family enjoyed her love of
cooking and the way she insisted comforting you with her southern
hospitality.
God’s richest gift was to bless her with 7 grandchildren, 11 great grands,
plus many nieces and nephews. These children will continue her legacy of
love. The Edmonds Family Tree will document her as a the last living
member of her generation. And her own children will lovingly refer to her as
“tough as an old boot” softened with a mama’s love.
Up until her personal battle with cancer, she was actively driving, going to
church faithfully, doing her own shopping, hanging out with the Disbrow
girls, and enjoying life to the fullest. At the age of 90, and after living an
abundant God centered life, Pauline has been called Home. We can’t help
but imagine that Pauline must be rejoicing in the heavens with Bill and her
siblings, singing praises to God in the highest.
Survived by her children: Karen Mercer McIlroy & husband David, Darrell
Mercer & wife Candis, Brian Mercer & wife Tina, Robert Mercer, and Billy
Ray Mercer, Jr.
Survived by Grandchildren: Chris McIlroy & wife Meghan, Scott McIlroy &
wife Babette, Tiffany Sayles & husband Josh, Hillary Mercer, Courtney
Mercer, Montanna Mercer, and Madison Mercer.
Survived by Great-grandchildren:
Cameron & Witten McIlroy; Landon, Rylan, & Hadley McIlroy; Cora &
Mason Sayles, Faith & Dustin Garcia, and Paige & Brayden Goodrich
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