Susan Elizabeth Thomas Merrill, 62
Dan McClelland
Susan Elizabeth Thomas Merrill, 62, of Orange Park, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, the 29th of July, 2023 at her summer home in Eagle Crag Lake, N.Y. Susan was born on the 2nd of February, 1961, to Edward (Ed) Earl Thomas and Mary Esther Farlow Thomas in Levelland, TX.
After living most of her childhood all over Texas and a year in Tennessee, she moved to Virginia with her family where she was graduated from West Springfield High School in 1979. She then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing in 1983 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. That is where she met the love of her life Lee, they married in 1983 before relocating to Orange Park, FL.
Susan worked for American Transtech for several years before becoming a mother and promoting herself to household engineer, expertly raising three wonderful children, before and eventually substitute teaching for ten years at Montclair Elementary. Susan spread love across her pillars of family, faith, and service to others continually lending a helping hand and words of kindness to go with her sweet smile and Texas drawl across her pillars of family, faith, and giving. Across the Merrill and Thomas families everyone could always count on her steadfast support and love, sometimes sprinkled with a delicious chocolate dessert (which she called her love language).
Susan enjoyed traveling and making memories, including living overseas when Lee worked in Okinawa, Japan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and spending summers with family, friends, and nature in the Adirondack Mountains. Susan loved staying connected with her grandchildren and adult children, parents and brothers through frequent messages, FaceTime calls, and as many visits as she could manage with them across the country—and sometimes around the world.
She enjoyed photography, exercising, spending precious Nana moments with her grandchildren, scrapbooking, and rock painting where she loved secretly spreading her talents as little works of art to be discovered. Susan was an active volunteer with dedicated many years to volunteering in service of Orange Park Methodist Church, English Springer Rescue America, and Orange Park Medical Center.
Susan is survived by her husband and soulmate Lee Merrill of Orange Park, FL; three beloved children - daughter Karen (John) Griffin of Albuquerque, NM; son Bryan (Chandler) Merrill of Atlantic Beach, FL; daughter Ellen Merrill (fiancé Stephen Reynolds) of Houston, Texas; along with her adored grandchildren, Graham and Mabel Griffin of Albuquerque, NM; and Josephine and Loreley Merrill of Atlantic Beach, FL.
Also surviving are her treasured parents Ed and Maryward E. Thomas and Mary Esther Farlow Thomas of Bryan, TX; cherished brothers Edward (Penny Sue) Thomas, Jr of College Station, TX; and Bill (Donna) Thomas of Corpus Christi, TX; and six loved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her in-laws Bruce and Kathleen Merrill.
A Service of Remembrance and Celebration will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at ten o’clock in the morning at Orange Park Methodist Church with Reverend Charles Lever officiating. A reception will be held at Orange Park Methodist Church’s Family Life Center following the service. Donations to support Susan's legacy can be made payable to "The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida" and mailed to 245 Riverside Avenue, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL, 32202. Please designate the "Susan Merrill Fund" in the memo line. Or you can give online at www.jaxcf.org/memorial/. Please share your memories and condolences at www.fraryfuneralhome.com.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the many relatives and friends for their outstanding and continuing love, prayers, and support through visits, cards, calls, messages, and meals.