Merilla Jane Collier Haydock was born in Belmont on November 9, 2025 to the late Murphy Collier, and Corene Montgomery Collier. She departed this life to eternal life on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025 from Generation’s Assisted Living Center after a 70 year, 10 month and 12 day earthly pilgrimage, surrounded by family, friends and the dedicated staff of Generation’s Assisted Living. A woman of strong faith, virtuous values and an enduring love for her family, Merilla was educated in the Tishomingo County Schools graduating from Tishomingo High School. She attended Northeast Miss. Community College and went on the Mississippi State University receiving a BA Degree in Education. She chose teaching as her life career and taught many years at Mooreville High School before retiring with over 25 years of service to area children. She loved her students as if they were her own children and encouraged them on every opportunity. A beautiful lady inside and out, Merilla touched many lives, enjoyed an abundance of friends especially. fellow teachers and left a legacy of love second to none. She grew up in the Old Bethel Methodist Church in Golden. She was the widow of John Thomas Haydock, USAF, ret. whom she married on Dec. 26, 2008. He died on Sept. 12, 2019. Merilla lived her last months at Generation ‘s Senior Living, where she was loved and respected by the staff who treated her as royalty. The family expresses gratitude for their care. A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held from her home Church, Old Bethel Methodist Church (6 CR 10, Golden, MS) at 2 PM Monday, Sept 22, 2025 with Rev. Hannah Shempert officiating assisted by Bro. Ronnie Goodwin. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1 PM and continue until the service at 2 PM at the Church. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends. Merilla is survived by her sons, Jacob Douglas Hanson (Misty) of Mantachie and Robert Austin Hanson and friend, Ed Gillenwater of Harrisburg, Missouri; grandchildren, Andrea and Ethan Yeilding both of Mantachie ; several cousins and her extended Collier and Montgomery families and the Haydock family by her marriage to John. Memorials may be made to Old Bethel Cemetery Fund, 6 CR 10, Golden, MS. 38847 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tn. 38105.
