Mary Eleanor Merritt, 79, of Barling, Arkansas passed away on June 12, 2019 in Fort Smith. She was born on May 30, 1940 in Van Buren to James O. and Mae A. (Rains) Rhodes. She was a graduate of Mulberry High School following graduation she attended School of the Ozarks in Branson, MO. Mary moved to Wasco and met her future husband Gary Merritt, they married and moved to Sacramento, and CA. Gary was drafted and served in Korea, during that time their daughter, Katherine was born. On his return he decided to join the California Highway Patrol and they were transferred to Barstow, CA. While in Barstow Mary taught kindergarten in a private school until they moved to Santa Rosa, CA. Mary decided to return to school and received her B.A. Degree in elementary and special education. In 1986 she began working for the Sonoma County Office of Education until they both retired. They lived in Bella Vista, Joplin and then Van Buren. In Van Buren she began substitute teaching for the Van Buren Public Schools and continued when they moved to Barling where she retired. She was of the Baptist Faith.
Memorial service is 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Ocker-Putman Funeral Home in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The family will visit with friends following the service.
She is survived by her husband James Gary Merritt of the home and a daughter, Katherine Merritt of Seattle, WA.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, W Walsh Ave. Suite 212, Rogers, AR 72758.