Ethel Pugh Spangler Merritt

1924 - 2009

Ethel Pugh Spangler Merritt, 84, of Roanoke, died Sunday, February 22, 2009, at Brandon Oaks, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was born March 14, 1924, in Floyd, Va. to the late Otho Cline Pugh and Gladys Sumner Pugh. She was predeceased by her first husband, 1st. Lt. John D. Spangler, U.S. Army Air Force, in 1948 in Japan, a daughter, Irene Spangler Underwood , and a sister, Edith Pugh Chapin. She is survived by her husband, Lucius M. Merritt Sr., of Brandon Oaks, and the following children and their spouses, son-in-law, Kent Underwood, Chesterfield, Mo., Lucius M. Jr. and Brynda Merritt, Blacksburg, Va., Mark and Ardis Merritt, Martha and Tom Gibbs, and Sarah Lupton, Roanoke, Va.; grandchildren, Scott and Sarah Underwood, Chesterfield, Mo., Jeff and Kay Underwood, Greely, Colo., Jennifer Cole, Blacksburg, Va., Ryan Gibbs, Mark Merritt Jr., Catherine Merritt, Korey Lupton, Roanoke, Va.; and great-grandchildren, Regan and Riley Cole, Billy and Peter Underwood, Tyler and Lane Greenwalt. Mrs. Merritt is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Leslie C. and Joyce Bowman Pugh, Floyd, Va.; and a brother-in-law and wife, Charles and Suzanne Merritt, of Pensacola, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. Ethel was a member of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, having served there as deacon and as an elder in a former church. She was a member of the Woman's Club of Roanoke, a former member of the Thursday Morning Music Club, and a member of the DAR, General James Breckinridge Chapter. Ethel was a career federal employee beginning service with the Agricultural Adjustment Agency in Blacksburg, Va. in 1942, following graduation from National Business College. She also was employed by the Army Air Force, Selma, Ala., Federal Housing Authority, Portsmouth, Va., the Veterans Administration in Roanoke, Va. and Milwaukee, Wis., National Aeronautics & Space Administration, Cleveland, Ohio, and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Roanoke, from which she retired in March 1979. Following retirement, Ethel and Lu enjoyed traveling extensively, including trips to Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, China, Japan, Russia, the British Isles, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Sweden, Denmark and throughout Europe. Ethel will be remembered for her engaging smile, light hearted friendliness, abiding faith and nurturing personality. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and a strong influence and loving support to every member of her family. She was a wonderful friend to all and generously supported many worthy causes, including the Red Cross by reaching donations of 30 gallons Pheresis and 125 gallons Platelet Pheresis. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, conducted by Dr. F. Tupper Garden. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. Visitation will be at Oakey's South Chapel on Brambleton Ave. on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the music program at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, the Endowment Program at Brandon Oaks, or to the American Red Cross. "She lived and brought unto this earth a bit of beauty, love, and faith. And now her life will ever be reflected in your heart."
Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel. 1-540-989-3131