July 16, 2023, 85, Dudley —

Mary Rose Davis Merritt, 85, resident of the Sleepy Creek area near Dudley, passed away Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023, while at home, with loved ones at her bedside.

Mrs. Merritt was a native of the Beautancus community near Mount Olive and was a member of the Bear Marsh Baptist Church.

She enjoyed the farming way of life, was fascinated with horseback riding as well as motorcycles, and loved the outdoors.  She had been a homemaker and had been an integral part of the family’s business, Fun Products of Goldsboro, through the years.

Preceded in death by her husband, A. Harris Merritt; a son, William Harris “Bill” Merritt; and her parents, Cecil Clayborne Davis and Louise Swinson Davis, she is survived by a daughter, Lisa Rose Merritt, and husband, Michael Vay, of Dudley; two sons, Jonathan Merritt of Goldsboro, and Daniel Merritt and wife, Lisa Renee Merritt, of Dudley; a brother, Douglas “Sam” Davis of the Beautancus community; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will take place Wednesday, July 19, beginning at 10 a.m. at Bear Marsh Church (1649 Beautancus Road, Mount Olive, NC), with funeral services to follow at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary.  Burial will be at Wayne Memorial Park after the service.