JOYCE MERICK

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Joyce Merick, 59, of Bloomfield died Sunday, March 25, 2001, at Dexter Memorial Hospital in Dexter, Mo.

Merick was born on April 1, 1941, in Sturdivant, Mo., the daughter of Auda and Marie Ray.

She spent most of her life in the Bloomfield community and was of the General Baptist Faith. She married Harold Merick Jr. on Dec. 19, 1959.

Survivors include her husband; two sons, Randy Merick of Zalma, Mo., and Patrick Merick of Bloomfield; a daughter, Sandra Dianne Anthony of Essex, Mo.; her mother, Marie Ray of Benton, Mo.; five brothers, Herman Ray of Olive Branch, Ill., Dale Ray of Lilbourn, Mo., Bruce Ray and Danny Ray, both of Benton, and Lynn Ray of Sikeston, Mo.; a sister, Fran Childress of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; four grandchildren; and a stepgrandchild.

She was preceded in death by her father and a sister.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.

Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home, with the Rev. Kenneth Lambert officiating. Burial will follow in the Bloomfield Cemetery.