Velda R. Merriman, 93, of Vandalia, died on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at Willowbrook Memory Care in Vandalia.
Visitation will be held Saturday, March 6, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Unity Baptist Church in Vandalia. Funeral services will follow, beginning at 11 a.m. at the church with Pastor Robert Weaver officiating. Burial will be held at Glendale Cemetery in Fillmore. Miller Funeral Home in Vandalia is assisting the family.
Mrs. Merriman was born Dec. 29, 1927, in Beaumont, TX, to Robert Windes and Lillie (Williams) Morgan. She married Charles Ward Merriman on March 8, 1946, in Oakdale, LA, and he preceded her in death.
Following her husband’s return from the war, they made their first home in Fillmore.
In 1966, after her four daughters were in school, she began her career for USPS, first as a clerk in Fillmore and Vandalia. She was later appointed postmaster in Fillmore in May 1985, following the death of her husband. She retired from the position in June 1988.
Mrs. Merriman was a faithful member of Fillmore Baptist Church, where she and her husband raised their daughters, and then later at Unity Baptist Church in Vandalia.
She will be remembered as a Godly, faithful prayer warrior, especially on behalf of her family as she prayed for them, by name, every day. She loved to sing and had a beautiful voice, passing her love for music to her daughters, which is still going strong down through her great-grandchildren. The heritage of serving the Lord, that started with her grandparents, is still powerful in her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Merriman is survived by her daughters, Marcia Walker of Collinsville, Jean (Greg) Fulton of Arcola, Susan (Bob) Culbertson of Vandalia and Myra (Ron) Talkington of Sherwood, AR; grandchildren, Donald (Julie) Arndt, Daneta (Adam) Sims, Jacob (Carrisa) Culbertson, Stefan (Jodi) Arndt, Bryan (Jodi) Culbertson, Julie (David) Lay, Bailey Fulton and Maggie Fulton; and 17 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Lynn; two brothers; and three sisters.
Memorials may be directed to Fillmore Baptist Church or Unity Baptist Church in Vandalia.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.millerfh.net.
