Barbara Dale Henry Merrell, 81 years, of Springtown, TX, passed away on 10 November, 2023. She was born on 13 October, 1942 in Brady, McCulloch Co., Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents Orvil Ray Henry and Ona Mae Turner Henry and her sister Loretta Carol Henry Pateff. She is survived by her husband Sam Merrell and children Karri Dee Evans and Gregory Dean Stroud. She also leaves grandchildren: (Brandi Michelle, Kristi Lynn and Kassi Dawn from the Evans’ family); (Jacob Dean, and Jordan Grace from the Stroud’s family). Great Grandchildren are: (Evan Leonard, Emrie Leigh and Eastyn Lucas from Brandi’s family), (Kason David, Cadee Grace, Khloe Alena, and Karter Hope from Kassi’s family). Sam Merrell’s family included his mother, Bertha Mae Perkins and children Julie Lynn Young, Tina Marie Elliot, Samuel Joe Merrell and Kenneth Robert Jameson.
Besides being a wife and mother for her family, she also found time to serve as secretary to several oil company executives while living in Pampa, Midland and Tyler. .
Barbara was a lover of animals and birds of all kinds, domestic and wild. She especially loved dogs and horses. She also loved the mountains, gurgling streams, pristine forests and the animal life found in New Mexico and Colorado. She was drawn to the peace and harmony of God’s amazing creation. While living in Ruidoso she became the friend of elk, bear, mule deer, squirrels, chip monks, skunks, and countless birds including humming birds and wild turkey. She also owned a saddle horse. This time in life was her ultimate utopia.
After leaving Ruidoso, to be closer to family and better medical facilities, Barbara and husband Bud Nunn settled in Springtown. After Bud’s death, she later married Sam Merrell who loved her dearly and during the final period of her life, faithfully cared for her.
She was a faithful member of the Springtown Church of Christ, but in recent years due to health issues, has not been able to attend regularly. However, she continued to tune in to services of the church each Sunday and participated in communion at home. Her final words to her family and friends were “I am going home to be with Jesus.”
A funeral service to honor Barbara’s life will be held on December 2, 2023 at Alexander’s Midway Funeral Home at 11:00 am CST located at 3607 East Highway 199, Springtown, Texas. Friends and family are invited to attend and pay their respects.
