Theresa Virginia Merritt

Following a brief respiratory illness, T. Virginia Merritt, 92, was surrounded by her loving children and reunited with her husband, Dallas Sr. in his heavenly abode on April 18, 2011.

She was born on September 7, 1918 in Huntington, West Virginia to Garland and Murmel Bryant Mathews. Following her marriage to Dallas and the birth of their three children, Harty Marie (Wilson), Dallas Jr., and Donna Elaine (Brossard), they moved to Frostproof, Florida in 1946 after selling their general store on Bowen Ridge in W. VA. She was an active member of the Church of God and devoted her life to God, family, friends, and crafting for children. She was noted for the hundreds of unique blankets and quilts she knitted, crocheted, or sewed for the children in the local hospitals and the “Shriner’s Burns and Crippled Children hospitals”.

Prior to her retirement in the late 70’s, she managed the “L. J. Pike Jewelry Store” in Frostproof. For recreation during her working years, she and Dallas had a passion for following their favorite baseball team, playing games with family and friends, and bowling from which she won numerous trophies. They also enjoyed vegetable gardening and canning together in their outdoor kitchen; sharing the fruits of their labor with family and friends. She never met a stranger. Her sharp mind, practical jokes, and witticisms were a part of her daily life and continued all the way to her final hours. She was a great lady who will be missed by all who knew her.

Dallas Sr. joined Our Lord and Savior on July 9, 2005 as well as her loving mother in January 1978, father in January 1987, sons-in-law Perry Wilson and Rich Brossard in March and July 2009, and her sister Geneva McGuire in June 2010. In addition to her children, she is survived by 12 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, 17 great-great grandchildren, her sisters Helen Blumel of Yadkinsville, North Carolina, Ruth Johnson of Frostproof, Fl. and brothers Garland Mathews Jr. and Lowell Thomas Mathews, both of Frostproof, and all their families who will also miss their Aunt “Ginny.”

Visitation will be held between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Frostproof. The funeral service will be held at the Frostproof Church of God on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. followed by graveside services at Silver Hill Cemetery in Frostproof.