Frances Elizabeth Merrill

Funeral services for Frances Merrill, 100, Clinton resident will be held 11:00, Tuesday, December 31, 2019 in the Broadway Heights Baptist Church, officiated by Ken Jones and Rev. Johnny Walker. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home. Frances Elizabeth Merrill passed away on December 24, 2019. She was blessed to live a long life, free of any health concerns. She was born on July 13, 1919 to Ray and Dora (Bilbrey) Clark in a farm house in Kiowa County, OK. Frances’ mother passed away when she was ten years old, leaving her father to raise five daughters. She graduated from Lake Valley High School in May of 1936. Frances married Linden Merrill on December 24, 1938 and they were reunited in Heaven on their eighty-first anniversary. They started their life together on a farm in Cloud Chief, OK where they had three children. They relocated to Clinton in 1954 where they owned and operated the 66 Salvage for fifteen years and later owned Merrill’s New & Used Furniture. Frances was a dedicated homemaker who also worked in retail sales. After retiring, she volunteered her time at Clinton Hospital for sixteen years. Her greatest joy in life was caring for and time spent with her family. Frances was a faithful member of Broadway Heights Baptist Church for many years. She was richly blessed with faith, family and friends. She will be lovingly remembered as the sweet, loving and generous person she was. She never spoke an unkind word. Survivors include her sons Melvin Merrill and wife Kathy of Davis, OK; Perry Merrill and wife Margaret of Clinton. Grandchildren: Kent Thompson of Marietta, GA, Shari Klingensmith and husband James, Lori Lax, and Kelly Bleigh and husband Richard, all of Arlington, TX. Great Grandchildren: Amanda and husband Philip, Lindsey and husband Clay, Michael and wife Leonore, and Kyle. Great-Great Grandchildren: Olivia, Addison and Emily and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents Ray and Dora Clark, husband Linden Merrill, daughter Kathryn Thompson and sisters Doris, Ruby, Tressie, Emogene and infant brother.