Juanita Nunez Merrill, 92

Juanita Nunez Merrill, 92, died Monday, December 21, 2015 at her home.

A native of Louisiana, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Ella Nunez. She is also preceded in death by her husband Charles W. Merrill who died November 19, 2010; two brothers, Cut Nunez and James Nunez; two sisters, Estelle Coogler and Pat Callens.

She met her late husband in Louisiana in 1941 and was married on May 13, 1945 before moving to North Carolina. Juanita was a member of Hendersonville First United Methodist Church, and taught the kindergarten Sunday school class for over 30 years. She enjoyed gardening, loved to read, loved to attend grandchildren’s events, volunteered for hospice in the early 1980’s, and loved her family.

She is survived by five children, John Merrill and his fiancé Sallie of Newport News, VA, Robert Merrill and his wife Jenna of Murphy, NC, Jay Merrill and his wife Leslie of Hendersonville, Ann Davis and his husband Jan of Asheville, and Jonita O’Connell and her fiancé Larry of Hendersonville; two sisters, Rhea Pershing of LaFayette, LA and Marjorie Mayfield of Carriere, MS; six grandchildren, Richard Davis and his wife Stacy of Asheville, Michael Merrill and his wife Molly of Pendleton, SC, Wesley Merrill of Wilmington, NC, Thomas O’Connell of Houston, TX, Caroline Merrill of Wilmington, NC and Misty Faulkner and her husband Gabe of San Marcus, CA; one great grandchild, Nolan Charles Merrill of Pendleton, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 26, 2015 at Hendersonville First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Mark Ralls officiating. Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park with Rev. Elijah Cockman officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to: Four Season’s Compassion-for-Life, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731 or Marge Kahrer Children’s Ministry Fund, c/o Hendersonville First United Methodist Church, 204 6th Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC 28739.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.