Gloria Merrick ("GG") arrived into this world as a bundle of joy to Fred Merrick and Ziporah Essilee Watts Merrick at home in McCaskill, Arkansas on April 3, 1951. She was the 7th child of nine children. She was always smart, gifted, and inquisitive.

Gloria confessed her love for Christ at a very early age and was baptized by Rev. Glen Martin at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in McCaskill, Arkansas. She was committed to her church and served faithfully in many roles until she later joined Haynes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Hope, Arkansas.

Gloria was an honor graduate, graduating third in her class from Blevins High School in 1969. While in high school, she was always a high achiever selected to serve in the Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Future Homemakers of America (FHA). She became a leader and member of
the local 4-H Club as she also perfected and sharpened her cooking, organizational, writing, and speaking skills.

Upon attending Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, she ultimately received a Bachelor's Degree in Education with a major in Family and Consumer Science. Henderson State University is where she became a proud charter member of the Iota Delta Chapter of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Known for her smile, there was little wonder why her line sisters affectionately named her "Giggles." Most recently, she became an active member of the Little Rock Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her participation was part of her commitment to excelling and promoting education. Her passionate desire and commitment to education led to Gloria receiving a Master's Degree in Vocational Education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Her first employment was serving as a Home Economics teacher at Parkers Chapel High School in El Dorado, Arkansas for two years. She then became the first African American Home Economist housed in Nashville, Arkansas, serving Howard County. Miss Merrick served on several education committees in the school district and on the state level. As a firm believer in education, she spent another forty years as a Family and Consumer Science (FACS) teacher at Hope High School in Hope, Arkansas. She loved teaching and spent countless hours preparing lessons and challenging students to achieve their very best.

One of her students most recently wrote on her Facebook page: "You'll never know the impact you have made on the lives of many students that are now adults. You made learning fun. May God dwell amongst your spirit and I celebrate you for just being the beautiful and courageous
loving person that you are."

Each year the State Family and Consumer Sciences Office and the Arkansas FCCLA State Adviser chooses an advisor in the state who displays outstanding service to the Arkansas Association, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). As a FACS Teacher
and FCCLA Adviser, Gloria was selected as the 2015 "Spirit of Advising" recipient.

Ms. Merrick had a desire and passion for children. She devoted her educational career to molding the minds of young adolescents. It was a passion that did not stop within the classroom. In fact, she was often seen in the community with a carload of students en route to dinner,
shopping, or participating in local and state competitions.

When it came to children, the word "no" was not in her vocabulary. Very early on, she became a foster parent. This experience was life-changing. She made sure that she received all of the appropriate training to serve as a model foster parent for thirty joyful years. The number of children in and out of her home is too numerous to count. She used personal resources that amounted to far more than the foster care system could ever give back. Without reservation, she believed that every child deserved an opportunity to live in a nurturing, loving, and safe environment, no matter what the cost. The essential role that she played in the development, healing, and success of youth in foster care was remarkable. Her only flaw as a foster parent was her inability to detach from each child. Because of that same love, she adopted three daughters, Candice, Lavette, and Ebony.

Gloria loved her family and looked forward to family reunions and family gatherings. But, she especially loved spending time with her sisters. No one cherished reading a good book more. Adding to her loves, she was an outstanding seamstress, always open to traveling with family, dedicated to being a grandmother, and excited about eating a juicy Italian beef sandwich.

Gloria Merrick defined her life in her daily walk with the Lord. She knew the hour was drawing near and often conversed about the greatest family reunion ever that she was about to join. God sent that bundle of joy on earth to serve as an angel to so many. She left her footprints in the
lives of countless children, family, colleagues, friends, and loved ones. While we were saying "goodbye," a family of angels was waiting and cheering her on saying, "Here she comes".

Her Legacy

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents: Fred and Ziporah Merrick and her siblings Elmer Merrick (Margie), Charles Merrick (Hattie), Shirley Jenkins Merrick, and a very special loving nephew; Jerrold Durand Merrick.

She cherished her surviving siblings: Faye Wilburn (RL), Connie Sergeant (Percy), Louise White (Joe), James Merrick (Patsy), and Sadie Mitchell, "Baby Boss" (Benard).

Gloria leaves a loving legacy with three, beautiful, adopted daughters: Candice Faye Merrick, Lavette LaShan Renea Merrick, and Ebony Nicole Merrick. She cherished her adorable grandchildren; Chloe Krstalynn Imani Bishop, who lived with her, Isaiah Amir White, Kaleb Armani Pugh, Shakira Alize Harris, and LaCorius Kevon Earley.

Gloria's heartbeat was her inseparable beloved niece, Tiffany Lynn Mitchell, to whom she was a second mother. Gloria, affectionately known as "Goddie", had an unconditional love for her Godchild, Kimistri Nicole Ballance, daughter of her favorite student turned family, Latonya
Wesley.

Survivors also included countless children in the Arkansas Foster Care System who called her "Mama" in the absence of a parent. Because they were also an important part of her life, she showered selfless, unconditional love that is easily celebrated by every child who entered the
safe haven of her home. They, too, are a beautiful reminder of the tremendous reach of her love and devotion.

Another living survivor she embraced, worshipped, and adored was her colleague and best friend of forty-four years, Alma Phillips. Their friendship has been said to mirror David and Jonathan in the Bible.

Finally, Aunt Gloria ("GG") had a host of nieces and nephews that she adored. She also had a caravan of beloved relatives and friends and a special forever bond with the astounding sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The service will be streamed VIA Facebook on the Carrigan Memorial Facebook page.

The guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com .

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services