Elaine Phyllis Hensley Merica

Elaine Hensley Merica, 90, of Shenandoah entered her heavenly home on November 27, 2013. Elaine was born in Rockingham County on April 22, 1923, the daughter of Ernest Poe and Edna Pearl Blose Hensley. She was raised by her grandmother, Lina Blose. She was a homemaker and also had worked at Blue Bell and Rockingham Sleepwear.

Elaine was a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church for 62 years and there were very few Sundays that she was not present in the congregation. She enjoyed working in her vegetable garden, baking homemade rolls and pies, crocheting granny square afghans, playing dominoes, working jigsaw puzzles and reading her Bible.

On December 26, 1946 she married Floyd R. Merica who preceded her in death on December 16, 2000. She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Shelby Jean and a brother, Eugene Hensley.

Surviving are her four children and their spouses: Phyllis and Fred Simmons of Harrisonburg, Betty and Joe Davis, Richard and Gale Merica, and Edward and Teina Merica all of Shenandoah; six grandchildren and their spouses: Shannon Davis, Misty and Matt Pettit, Shane and Windi Davis, Cheri and Bill Burnet, Erica Simmons, Sheina Merica; and eight great grandchildren: Ryan Secrist, Derek, Megan and Allison Pettit, Dillon and Rylee Davis, Alec and Lindsey Burnet.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 1 from 6-8 pm at Oak Grove United Methodist Church on Fleeburg Road. A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, December 2 at 11:00 at Oak Grove Church with Pastors Ellen Martin and Wilma White officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery in Shenandoah.

Memorial contributions may be made to Oak Grove Church in care of Debbie Comer, 603 Denver Avenue, Shenandoah VA 22849 or the Shenandoah Rescue Squad.

We, her family, will always remember this sweet humble lady who never needed great things to make her happy. She met all of life's joys and challenges with contentment and laughter. In her last years, she'd say “I'm just a lazy little old lady,” but in our memories she will always be a little old lady (LOL) – laughing out loud!

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseykygerfuneralhome.com.