Loretta Jean Merritt

Loretta Jean Merritt, born on June 20, 1938 went home to be with The Lord Friday, January 10, 2014 in Kingsport, TN. Loretta lived most of her life in Maryville, and a few years in Florida and Kingsport. She was a wonderful and devoted Wife and Mother, both Great and Grand who loved to cook and take care of her family especially proud of a clean home. She taught her three girls to first, trust The Lord, love your family, and feed them well. Keep a clean and orderly home. And, if you work or have a job to do, do it right the first time. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Hubert Merritt; parents, Charles and Velma Young; brother, Kenneth Young, and two baby daughters, Janice Ruth and Tammy; son-in-law, James Edwin Quillen. Survivors include her three daughters, Jackie Quillen of Kingsport, Pat and Jerry Hughes of Sugoinsville, TN, Tonya and David Bowles of Maryville; step-children, Guy and Jane Merritt, and Janie and David Phillips, both of Oliver Springs, TN; grandchildren, Greg and Whitney Stidham of Bristol, TN, Ophelia and Joshua Edmonson of Mt. Carmel, TN, and Emily and Cam Green of Maryville; great grandchildren, Maddison Grace Green, Mila June Green, and soon to be born great grandson, Jaxson James Green, all of Maryville; brother, Mayford and Winifred Young of Walland; sisters, Shirley Jones of Nashville, Roxie and Ernest Reagan, Barbara and Lloyd Seaton, Lois and Luther Reagan, and Lena and Walter Price, all of Walland, TN. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends, and very special pet baby dog, Rachel Diamond also survive. A celebration of Loretta's life will be held at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January, 13, 2014 in the Smith Trinity Chapel with Rev. Jordan Amburn and Rev. Jesse Hartgrove officiating. Interment will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at Grandview Cemetery. The family will receive friends starting at 6:00 p.m. Monday, January 13, 2014 at Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithLifeandLegacy.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Loretta Jean Merritt please visit our Sympathy Store.