Mary Elizabeth Eason Merry

Mary Elizabeth Eason Merry died peacefully in her sleep Friday, January 4, 2013 in Thomasville. She was born on October 9, 1924, in Daytona Beach, Fl. She married James Wright Merry on December 22, 1942, and they lived in Winter Park, Fl all their married life. They had three children, William Wright Merry Joan, Joyce Merry Runyon David and Joan Tupps. After her husband's death on February 8, 2005, Mary moved to Thomasville. She is survived by all of her children, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Mary was a majorette in the band at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach. She loved to dance, and she and her dance partner won many Jitterbug contests while in high school. After her marriage and move to Winter Park, she was a member of the Begonia Society, and she had a "green thumb" all of her life. She was an excellent seamstress; she made all of her children's clothes and costumes for various occasions, and they were the best dressed kids in school! She worked for several years with her husband, whom she called "Smiley", making neon signs. Later she worked as a secretary, bookkeeper, and office manager for the Honeywell Company for 26 years. After retirement, she and Smiley began a lapidary and jewelry business in Winter Park. They also went to their second home in Cashiers, NC every summer and entered their jewelry in craft shows in the area. Mary was brought up in the First Christian Church in Daytona Beach, and she attended Dawson Street Baptist Church in Thomasville with Joyce and Dave. Services will be held at Dawson Street Baptist Church on Thursday, January 10, at 10:00 AM. Rev. Lee Waller will officiate, and Interment will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Mary is also survived by her brother, Lloyd Eason Beth of Champayne, IL and three sisters, Mildred Eason Fields of Daytona Beach, Fl and Carole Eason Chandler Lew and Jean Eason Dawson both of Waco, TX, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Bill Eason. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com