Frances (Wood) Merritt

Our loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Frances Wood Merritt, 86, of 121Racine Drive, Wilmington (formerly of Clinton) passed away peacefully at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center in Wilmington, with her family by her side.  

Born on May 15, 1931, Mrs. Frances was the daughter of the late Eva Savage and James Bland Wood.  She was a retired cashier with the Clinton City Schools and then moved to Wilmington after retirement where she was a member of Anchor Baptist Church.  She loved cooking and gardening, and most of all spending time with her family. The loves of her life were her four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  She was a precious woman who was loved by everyone who knew her.  She will be greatly missed, but she left us with many memories that will be cherished forever, our beautiful, beloved Ma Ma.   

Frances is survived by her daughter, Linda M. Hobbs and husband, George “Buster” Hobbs of Wilmington; her son, Jerry Merritt and wife, Ann of Clinton; three granddaughters: Jennifer Carr, Amy Snider and husband, Watson; Heather Healy and husband, Jesse; and her grandson, Jeffrey Merritt and wife, Crystal.  She was also blessed with three great-grandchildren: Emma Snider, Thomas Snider and Kiptyn Healy.  

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Benson Merritt; two sisters: Margaret Baysden and Doris Blackburn; five brothers: Elbert, Leroy, Clarence, Bobby and Howard Wood.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday afternoon, beginning at 2:00 pm at the funeral home; and other times at her son’s home, 500 Carolina Avenue, Clinton.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 3:00 pm at the Royal-Hall Funeral Home Chapel, 301 McKoy St., Clinton with Rev. Jeff Nichols officiating. Burial will follow in the Clinton Cemetery.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the nurses and staff at Liberty Commons and the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center for their wonderful love and care over the years.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her honor to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center at 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Merritt Family.