Lelia Merrifield

Lelia Ann Avery Merrifield, 87, was born in Charles City County, Virginia, on August 23, 1924 and died in Austin, Texas, on July 20, 2012. After graduating from William and Mary College in 1945, Lelia Ann (most knew her as Lee Ann) began her 40 year teaching career. She married Robert Merrifield, the love of her life, in 1951. Bob and Lee Ann were married for almost 60 years and had three children. Lee Ann was able to pursue her passion, contract bridge, and earned her life Master status after retiring from teaching. She also co-owned a wedding services business that gave her great joy. Lee Ann is survived by her son, Robert Brent Merrifield, Jr. and his wife Golghotay "Goldi" Merrifield, daughter Margaret "Meg" Putman and her husband Houston Paul Putman, III, and son, Charles Avery Merrifield, and his wife Kimberly Kay Merrifield, granddaughters, Sarah Merrifield Farley and husband James Thomas Farley and great grandsons Jacob Luke and Christian Jake Farley, granddaughter Charlotte Peiffer de Garza and husband Eduardo Garza, granddaughter Bonnie French McCarty and husband William Jeffrey McCarty, grandsons, Charles Avery Merrifield, Jr., Wyatt Binns Merrifield, Colton Eric Merrifield, Alexander Merrifield Putman and Houston Paul "Skip" Putman, IV. She is also survived by her sister Bonnie Avery Bugg as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Lee Ann's ashes will be interred at the National Cemetery in Houston Texas, next to her husband. A service celebrating Lee Ann's life will be held at the Village at the Arboretum, 9306 Great Hills Trail in Austin, TX at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 19, 2012. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice Austin, SmileTrain.com or a charity of your choice.