Mrs. Witt went home to be with her Lord and Savior at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson, MS on May 21st, at the age of 94. She was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Witt, her parents Robert Lee Milner and Lemma Wasson Milner as well as her youngest son, Barry D. Blaine, of Canton, MS. She was also preceded in death by her many brothers; Arnold Milner of Kosciusko; Clayton Milner of Ethel, MS; Dumas Milner of Jackson, MS; Bob Milner, Jr. of New Orleans, LA; as well as her sisters, Lucille Yates of Ethel, MS; Lessie Betley of Jackson, MS; Nolie Ellis of Vaiden, MS; and Christine Flint of Jackson, MS.
She is survived by her sons, Ronald M. Blaine (June) of Oden; Wayne Witt (Forcia Tyler) of Orlando, FL; daughter-in-law, Teresa Blaine of Canton, MS, widow to son Barry D. Blaine; and sister Earlene Lefoldt of Madison, MS. She had 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren whom she loved dearly.
After graduating from school, Mrs. Witt was gainfully employed with Deposit Guaranty Bank, which is now known as Regions Bank. There, she worked as an accountant and stayed employed with the bank until the birth of her first son. At that time she became a full-time mother and homemaker until both boys were in high school. With her sons older, Mrs. Witt decided to accept an accounting position at the Mississippi State Department of Health. She proudly worked with the State until retirement, in 1985. She and her late husband, Mr. John L. Witt, who also retired in 1985, began traveling and enjoyed their retired life together.
Mrs. Merle M. Blaine Witt was loved by so many and was well known throughout the retirement community of Beau Ridge in Ridgeland, MS, as well as her former neighborhood, and community off Old Canton Road in Jackson, MS. She was an active founding member of Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Jackson, MS until the day she passed. She had a passion for family, friends, fashion and flowers. She truly loved to love others.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS, with funeral services beginning at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Jessamine Cemetery in Ridgeland, MS.