Frances Janelle Rawls Merritt
February 6, 1931 – March 26, 2017
Frances Janelle Rawls Merritt, age 86, died in Chattanooga, TN, on March 26, 2017. She was born on February 6, 1931, in Cairo, GA, to the late Olin and Nellie Rawls. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband William Neal Merritt.
She is survived by her son, Lauren Merritt (Michele) of Memphis and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Janelle graduated from Cairo High School in 1948. In 1952, she graduated from Georgia State College for Women with a degree in Home Economics Education and began a brief teaching career. She married Neal Merritt in 1953, and they lived in Camden and Aiken, SC, before DuPont transferred them to Chattanooga in 1964. She was an enthusiastic parent volunteer throughout Lauren’s elementary and high school years. Janelle was a member of Rivermont Presbyterian Church and active in the Presbyterian Women of the church. Later in life she became very involved with the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Republican Women, where she served as treasurer and president for several years and attended many state and national conventions. Janelle had a flair for style and fashion and wore a special outfit for every occasion. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining and playing bridge.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers and staff of Elmcroft of Shallowford for their exceptional and compassionate care of Janelle.
Visitation will be at Rivermont Presbyterian Church at 3319 Hixson Pike in Chattanooga, TN, on Friday, March 31, 2017, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Services will immediately follow at 3:00 p.m. Graveside service will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cairo Cemetery in Cairo, GA. Pastor Becky Willis will officiate at the graveside interment.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to BARNABUS c/o Rivermont Presbyterian Church, 3319 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN 37415, or the charity of donor’s choice.
Hixson, TN arrangements are under the direction of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist-North Chapel, Hixson, TN. Cairo, GA arrangements are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Cairo, GA.
