Martha Evans Merritt

Martha Evans Merritt, 68, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 6, 2013. She was born in Danville, Virginia on May 26, 1944 to Dr. Thomas Evans and Lucille Moss Evans. She attended Stratford College in Danville, VA and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught special education in New Hanover County Schools for a number of years. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Evans and Lucille Moss Evans, and a daughter, Susan Elizabeth Bryant. She is survived by her husband, Dale Merritt, and children Ellen Bryant Lloyd and husband Lee of Greensboro, NC, Carole Bryant Merritt of Wilmington, Mark Evan Bryant and his wife Francesca of Atlanta, GA, Donna Merritt Klutz of Wilmington, Tammie Merritt Hutchison and her husband Brian of Manassas, VA, and Theresa Merritt Barker and husband Paul of Waxhaw, NC. She was especially proud of her 16 grandchildren: William, Anna, Ashley, Drew, Justin, Meagan, Ryan, Brandon, Samantha, Heather, Brett, Brayden, Noah, Natalie, Cameron, and Hannah, and one great-grandchild, Bryson. Also surviving is a brother, Thomas Evans of Richmond, VA. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 8, 2013 from 7:00-8:00 pm at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 2:00 pm The Harbor United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank the NHRMC MICU and 10th Floor nursing staff, Dr. Mary Rudyk, Lower Cape Fear Hospice Nurse Liaisons, and Christy, NHRMC Chaplain for the wonderful care and compassion shown to Martha over the last several weeks. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her honor to the Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society, or the American Lung Association.