Barbara Ann Williams Merrill, age 82, of Hartselle, Alabama completed her journey to home Saturday night at Princeton Baptist Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama surrounded by family after suffering from complications of Pneumonia.
Barbara never met a stranger and always felt at ease in conversation with a total stranger. She possessed a contagious smile and an entertaining sense of humor. Throughout her life she maintained a loving, nurturing simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter and singing, will never be forgotten.
After graduating from Woodlawn High School she attended Howard University. Through the years, she worked as a secretary at Auburn University and was an entrepreneur, owning a couple of a ladies clothing stores in Athens and Decatur, Alabama. After selling the store, she continued working in sales at Jimmy Smith Jewelers and eventually retired from Parisians in Decatur, Alabama.
Barbara was the loving mother to 3 dear children, Bobby Preston Mattox, Vicky Mattox Chandler and Cheri Mattox Alexander. She was married to Dr. Charles Max Merrill with whom she shared her final wonderful years of life on this earth. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, a great-grandchild Mattox Walker and father-in-law Reid Merrill.
Her surviving family members are numerous, but mainly include:
Husband: Charles Max Merrill, DMD
Mother of 3 Children & Spouses: Bobby and Kathie Mattox, Vicky Chandler all of Auburn, Alabama, Cheri and Joe Alexander of Decatur, Alabama.
Step Children: Mike and Karen Merrill of Sulphur, LA and Robert and Sara Merrill of Arkansas
Grandmother to 8: Dustin Chandler, Nathan Alexander, Daniel Chandler, Ashley Mattox Walker, Casey Alexander and Lauren Mattox Miller, Gayle Merrill Benoit and Cora Merrill
Great Grand Children: Abigail Walker and Harper Benoit
Immediate family: Burson T Williams, II of Birmingham, Alabama
In-Law: Gabriele Merrill
Neices, Nephews & Spouses: Tommy Williams, Jennifer Williams Westhoven and Terri Williams Hallman and their spouses Paula Willams, Tim Westhoven and Ross Hallman.
Pallbearers will be Dustin Chandler, Nathan Alexander, Daniel Chandler, Stephen Walker, Kaigan Miller and Burson T. Williams III.
Barbara came into this world on February 6, 1934 in Birmingham, Alabama to Burson and Ruby Williams. She loved dearly her sister Dorothy Williams, and her brother Burson Williams II and his wife Lena.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday February 16, 2016 at 11:00AM at First Baptist Church of Hartselle with Dr. Tom Whatley officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Monday at Peck Funeral Home. Mrs. Merrill will lie in state from 10:00AM to 11:00AM Tuesday at the church. Burial will be at Hartselle City Cemetery.
