Desley Allen Merricks

Reidsville – Mrs. Desley A. Merricks, age 101, passed away early Saturday morning, February 7, 2015 at Penn Nursing Center. A funeral service will be held at Wilkerson Funeral Home at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, February 10, 2015, with Rev. Stephen Blair officiating. Burial will follow at Reidlawn Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. At other times people may visit at the home of Wallis G. Merricks of Reidsville. Mrs. Merricks was born February 26, 1914 in Rockingham County to the late James N. Allen and Lenora Pearl Alley. Desley was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time in her flower garden and was blessed with a “green thumb.” She hybridized daylilies and named them in honor of her grand children. She was an animal lover and cared for all animals in need. In addition to her parents, Desley was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett Coleman Merricks; a son, James A. Merricks; a sister, Lenora Allen Walker; her brothers, Tom and John Allen; a grandchild, Susan Merricks; and a great grandchild, Kaleigh Shianne Merricks. Mrs. Merricks is survived by her sons: Emmett C. Merricks, Jr of Charlotte, Wallis G. Merricks and wife, Pat of Reidsville, and Robert A. Merricks and wife Allene of Winston-Salem. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren. The family would like to thank the Penn Nursing Center for their special care and kindnesses she received. A special thank you to Debbie Merricks for her loving care. Memorial donations may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, 2020 Wentworth Street, Reidsville, NC 27320 or The Humane Society of your selection or any charity of choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.wilkersonfuneral.com