Betty Roof Merriken

Betty Roof Merriken, 82, of Bedford, Va., passed away Thursday, April 29, 2010. She was born on Thursday, February 2, 1928, in Roanoke , Va., a daughter of the late Jeter Stratton Roof and Teressa Louise Willis Roof. She was also preceded in death by husband, William Hite Merriken; and a brother, Jack Stuart Roof. She was a member of Bedford Baptist Church. Betty graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in Salem and continued on to complete her R.N. degree from Roanoke Memorial Hospital in 1952. She and Bill married in 1956 and moved to Bedford where she worked for many years at a local physicians office and then worked and retired from Bedford Memorial Hospital with 23 years of service. After retirement, she enjoyed her friendships and activities with the Red Hat Society "Vintage Hearts." Visits from her "red hat ladies" helped to sustain her in her last days. Surviving are her four daughters, Patti Merriken, Jan Roberts and husband, Bobby, Amy Miller and husband, Mike, Kitty Giles and husband, Steve, all of Bedford; six grandchildren, Kelly Roberts, Cory Giles, Jenna Roberts, Michael Miller, A. J. Miller, Lauren Giles; two aunts, Madeline Calhoon, Elizabeth Sink, both of Roanoke. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 3, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Bedford Baptist Church with the Rev. James Compton Jr., Dr. David Henderson and the Rev. Rick Dellinger officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Friends may call after noon on Sunday and the family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.