Ruth Nelon Merrell

Mrs. Merrell was born in Buncombe County, was a daughter of the late Ernest Nelson and Edith Osborne Nelon, and was married to Guy Johnson Merrell, Sr., who died in 1979. She was retired after 25 years in sales at Belk’s Department Store and was a member of Fairview Baptist Church.

She is survived by a daughter, Joyce Bass of Knoxville, TN; two sons, Guy Johnson Merrell, Jr. and Samuel E. Merrell of Fairview; a sister, Faye Nelon Coates of Asheville; a brother, Roy Nelon of Atlanta, GA; three grandchildren, John Merrell of Fairview and Brianna and Derek Bass of Knoxville and two great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be 1:00 pm Friday at Cane Creek Cemetery with the Rev. Jeff Wilkie officiating.

Mrs. Merrell’s family will receive friends from 7 - 8:30 pm Thursday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.