Elayne Rene Merkman

Elayne Rene Merkman was born to the late Alphonse and Sherene Merkman on December 22, 1961 in Brooklyn Jewish Hospital. She grew up in the Brownsville Community Projects and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. She was also a member of Brownsville Community Baptist Church. Growing up, she was known for her welcoming, giving, outgoing, and humorous personality and friendly spirit. Coming up she enjoyed activities like softball, handball and jump rope. Some say, they hated when it was her turn, she jumped so well, turning the rope seemed never ending. Things remembered were that she always kept her hair done and her appearance "clean as a machine". "Sister Friends" in those days were, Fedricka (Rica), Samantha and Tonya. Mentors: Lynette (Kool Aid), Denise (Neicey) Maynard and a very close cousin Dennis help shape and guide the young Elayne. Where ever she was you could bet they weren't far behind. On August 27, 1980 she gave birth to her first baby girl and 10yrs later on July 18, 1990 to another baby girl. They were her prized possessions. Family was everything to her, Elayne would lose her mother to cancer in January 1991, then shortly experience a wave of difficulty that words could never express. These being the first of many challenges, Elayne's faith, trust, tenacity, perseverance, determination and her ability to fight back became the catapult to running a race full of trials and tribulations she would endure for 32yrs and finally overcome. She lived a life that defied all the odds, running full force into every twist and turn, giving life all she had, doing it all the way or not at all. Being right or wrong, accepting responsibility for her actions and teaching others to do the same. It was the fight of a lifetime and Elayne was known as "Comeback Kid". Passionate about all she endeavored to do, think, and dream. Elayne gave of herself a love that can only be expressed as a true gift from the Lord. Loving her family, all those she adopted into her family, and the many from all walks of life, she became a beautiful image of Christ Love. Suffering many hurts, she yearned to love and experience that love reciprocated. Unaware that her Love was so special it was hard for others to meet. One of her most known attributes was she was an overwhelming abundance of help. It was breath taking. The way she could multitask was amazing. She would come in like a Mat Truck, all you needed to do was move out the way and receive. Be it sports with Nanny's babies, fundraising, Daycare, choir, serving the bereaved family or her Usher Board, she did it, and made sure you got a good laugh in the process. Caring for people was her ministry. How do you know? One might ask, everyone's needs came before her own. The epitomy of Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Elayne's life was a testimony of faith! Elayne came to rest and lay her eyes upon the Lord on February 22, 2018. Preceded in death by Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Mother, Father, Brother Robert Merkman, and Best Friend Barbra Morgan. Those left to cherish her memories Children: Javonda (Anthony) Merkman-Cofer, Javon Carter, Raven Thompson; beloved grandchildren: Tapree Merkman, Calik, Alanjha, Promise and Raihma Harris, Talik Pearson; great-grands: LaRyan, Kaiyah and Kaycen Merkman; siblings: Sherman and Ericka Merkman (Williams); aunts Elaine McAden and Daisy Moorman; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends. Dearly Beloved: Lee-Lee (Uncle Charlie), Bernadette Jones, Deron Lark Betty Lee, Mother Bulls, Sylena Commack, Thompson Family, Sturgill Family, Prophete Family, Eubanks(Campbell) Family. A celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018, 2:00PM at Serenity Funeral Home and Cremation Services.