Frances Coline Smith Merritt, 81, met her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo following a short illness. Born in the Jug Fork Community on June 10, 1941, Coline was the only daughter of James Burress Smith and Lottie Mary McNutt Smith.
At the tender age of 16, Coline married Malone Merritt on July 7, 1957. Shortly following she graduated from Tupelo High School. Coline was a doting wife, loving mother of three, and dedicated homemaker and caregiver. After her husband’s death on March 11, 2007 at Sanctuary, she began to actively support the Sanctuary Hospice House. Coline focused her life around church and family. She was and faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church for 56 years and an active choir member for over 50 years. She also was a pianist for the children’s choir and the unofficial secretary of her Senior Adult Sunday school department class.
Coline is survived by her three children, Lisa Tally and her husband, Jeff, Kathy McLaurin and her husband, Jeff, and Alan Merritt and his wife, Yvonne all of Saltillo; seven grandchildren, Jim Tally and his wife, Michael Ann, of Saltillo, Lance Tally and his wife, Kasey, of Mooreville, Russ Tally and his wife, Leslie, of Saltillo, Rachel Fischer, and her husband, Jacob, of Amory, Tyler McLaurin and his wife, Sarah, of Guntown, Justin Merritt and his wife, Leanna, of Pontotoc, Jill Ausborn and her husband, Rusty, of Saltillo; and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Malone Merritt; and her parents, James and Lottie Smith.
Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. until service time Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Pegues, Tupelo.
Services honoring her life will be 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Tupelo Jefferson Street Chapel of Pegues with Dr. John Boler officiating. Burial will follow at McNeil Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jim Tally, Lance Tally, Russ Tally, Justin Merritt, Tyler McLaurin, Jacob Fischer, and Rusty Ausborn. Her senior adult Sunday school class will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, building fund, 501 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38804 or Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803.
Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be made at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
