Eunice Isabell Wheatley Merritt

Eunice Isabell Wheatley Merritt passed away on Friday, March 22, 2013. She was born Jan. 9, 1917, in Rutherford, Tenn., to Soloman Washington Wheatley and Minnie Mae Glisson Wheatley, who preceded her in death. Others preceding her in death were four sisters, Johnnie Louise Steward Moody, Beatrice Elizabeth Smith, Ida Lorene Almond, Eula Florene Almond, and one daughter-in-law, Martha Ragan Merritt. Eunice is survived by two sons, James Clyde Merritt II and his wife, Sarah, of Bainbridge, Ga., and Michael Wheatley Merritt Sr., and his wife, Diana, of DeWitt. She has three grandchildren, William Lee Merritt, Denese Michelle Canedo, and Michael Wheatley Merritt, Jr., and his wife, Christie; four great-grandchildren, Michael Wheatley Merritt III (Tre), Graciela Marata Canedo, Tristan Reign Merritt, and Ragan Keye Merritt; and leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends. Eunice's family moved to Aubrey, Ark., when she was one and then to south Arkansas County when she was two. She graduated from DeWitt High School in 1934. After graduation, she moved to Little Rock, Ark., where she graduated from Capitol City Business College in 1935. She then worked for GMAC for 6 years before moving to San Antonio, Texas. There she worked for Postal Censorship until 1945, when she moved to Fresno, Calif. She returned to DeWitt later in 1945 where she remained until her death. While in DeWitt, Eunice worked for the DeWitt Municipal Water Works for 10 years. She then worked at the Southside Elementary School as the librarian until 1986 when she retired. She was an active member of the DeWitt First United Methodist Church, working with the youth while her boys were young and then in the UMW and Mature Methodists. Eunice was also a member of the Mendelssohn Club and she enjoyed playing bridge with her friends.  Services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in DeWitt. Burial will follow in the Merritt Cemetery in DeWitt by Essex Funeral Home. Ms. Eunice requested memorial be sent to the DeWitt First United Methodist Church, 608 S. Grandview Dr., DeWitt, Ark. 72042, in lieu of flowers.