Joyce Laverne Merrill

MERRILL, Mrs. Joyce Laverne, age 82, a resident of Lakeland, FL, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 due to heart failure. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 2:30pm in Zion Cemetery with Turner Funeral Home of Luverne, AL directing. Mrs. Merrill was born in Bay Minnett, AL and moved to Lakeland, FL as an infant. She worked in the Danish bakery of Publix Supermarket, the Wabash Shopping Center location for over 20 years. She was also a member of South Florida Heights Church of the Nazarene. Mrs. Merrill was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Henry “Jack” Merrill; granddaughter, Breanne Hargraves; and twelve brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Meeks of Lakeland; sons, Eugene (Debbie) Merrill of Polk City, FL, Ricky Merrill and Cary Merrill, both of Lakeland; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Salvation Army. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Sunday from 12:30pm until 2pm.