Merle Marie Etheridge

Merle Marie Lawler Etheridge
Abilene

Merle Marie Lawler Etheridge, 95, went to be with her Lord on April 30, 2012, after a long, full life here on this earth. Services will be held at Connally-Compton Funeral Home in Waco, on Saturday, May 5, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.. Burial will be at 4:30p.m. Saturday at Elmwood Cemetery in Abilene.
Merle Marie was born to Charlie and Laura Lawler on May 11, 1916, in Luling Texas. She graduated from Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos in 1936. She met Kenneth Etheridge in Austin, and they were married on July 9, 1941. From 1950 to 1995 they lived in Abilene, where they raised their four children. They moved to Austin in 1995, where they lived until Kenneth passed away in 2005. Merle then moved to Waco to be near family.
Growing up on a farm, she treasured her childhood experiences, which included playing in the watermelon patch, riding to the cotton gin, milking cows and gardening. She came to know Christ as her Savior at age 9 and loved the Lord throughout her life. After graduating high school at the age of 16, she attended college. While she and Kenneth lived in Austin, she started the library at Fulmore Junior High School. She was a faithful follower of Christ and loved their church in Abilene, University Baptist. In addition to teaching Sunday School, Training Union and being a member of WMU, she always visited new prospects for their church. She was a substitute teacher in the Abilene School District from 1964-1972. Merle was a member of the Athenian Book Club in Abilene, and loved needlepoint, sewing, and gardening. She and Kenneth had many friends and enjoyed playing 42. They traveled in their airplane to many areas of the country and especially enjoyed visiting their children and grandchildren. They also enjoyed traveling to Scotland, England and Canada. Upon moving to Austin in 1995, they joined Anderson Mill Baptist Church, where they became active in the Sonshiner Seniors. When Merle moved to Waco, she joined First Baptist Church, Woodway.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one brother. She is survived by four children: daughter Merilyn Hutchison, and husband, Warner, of Albuquerque, NM; son Mark Etheridge, and wife, Dianne, of Lewisville; daughter Jan Gilbert, and husband, Richard, of Lorena; and daughter Karen Jones, and husband, Keith, of Lorena. She is also survived by one brother, Jack Lawler,and ten grandchildren: Ken Hutchison and wife Meghann, Laura Monroe, Paula Provost and husband John, Tiffany Dagley and husband Nathan, Britney Cox and husband Robbie, Brooke Moore and husband Adam, Scott Gilbert, Kris Jones and wife Wendi, Kim Row and husband Tyler, and Kelly Stanley and husband Adam. She is further survived by seventeen great-grandchildren.
Merle's joyous laughter and sweet spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Her family wishes to thank the nurses and aides at Ridgecrest Retirement Center where she lived, for their kindness and care.
Please join us in remembering, Merle Ethridge by visiting our memorial www.connally-comp ton.com we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.
Arrangements made by Connally-Compton Funeral Directors, Waco, Texas.

Connally-Compton Funeral Directors
4400 West Waco Dr.
Waco, TX 76710