MARY MERRILL
July 6, 1947 ~ July 20, 2020
Sunrise July 6, 1947, Mary Ethel Hodges was the 2nd child born to Eddie Hodges and Guessie Haywood in San Antonio, Texas. Even though her name was Mary everyone called her “Priss”. Mary attended Wheatley Heights High school and attended St. Philips College where she obtained her degree in nursing as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 1969.
Mary worked as a nurse at Highland Nursing Center, River City Care Center, San Pedro Manor and Buena Vida Nursing and Rehabilitation of San Antonio faithfully until her illness. Her natural gift was always serving people which was exemplified through mentoring and being preceptor to many nurses, sharing the wisdom and experience that she gained over her 51 year career.
On February 2, 1966, Mary was united in matrimony to Robert E. Merrill and to this union 5 children were born; Chris, Robert, Princess, Robinette and Robin.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Merrill, father Eddie Hodges, mother Guessie Haywood, sister Arlene Haywood, brothers Floyd Haywood, Clarence Haywood and Carl O’Neal and daughter Princess Merrill.
She leaves to cherish her memory; sons Chris (Sharon) Merrill, Robert (Natasha) Merrill, daughter Robinette (Tavis) Philliphs, and Robin (Annetra) Merrill, sister Rita Haywood, sister-in-law’s Georgie O’Neal and Jane Merrill, 19 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousin and friends.
Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, the funeral service and interment will be private.
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Private Interment:
Fort Sam Houston National CemeteryView current weather.
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To Robert and the Merrill family, I wish to extend my deepest condolences on your mother’s passing. Mrs. Merrill loved her family greatly and was always concerned with their well Being. I can very clearly remember all of the hours she spent as nurse caring for her patients and taking care of her family. May she rest in eternal peace in the arms of God All Might God is my prayer. BE SAFE BE BLESSED.Â
To my Aunt Priss,
Words can not express how I feel. I love you and will miss you very much. I will always cherish my childhood memories with you and about you. I was your very first niece and really your very own live doll. You were only 13 when I was born. I can still hear you saying my name. No one called me “Shirley Faye” but you. You use to watch me and play dress up with me. You took me to church very Sunday with you all the time. I remember the story you told me once when you dressed me up on Easter Sunday and comb my hair and put pretty bows in my hair and a pretty ruffle dress and ruffle socks. You said we went to church and I took every bow out of my hair and took off my socks and my shoes and crawled up the aisle to the preacher and he picked me up and kept preaching holding me in his arms. I loved her so much that one day when I was 3 or 4 she said I left looking for her by myself. I walked from the Coliseum Homes off Spriggsdale street and I crossed the railroad tracks to the East Terrence to my grandmothers apt. and found her. She took me around her boyfriends and they spoiled me too. I remember when she met my uncle Robert Merrill. He was handsome, we both thought so. Soon she got married and started having her own children, but I still had a special place in her heart and she in mine. I love you but God loved you more.  Â
Your niece
Shirley Faye O’Neal Bracy