Lois Jeanne Smith Merritt

LOIS JEANNE SMITH MERRITT, 92, of Huntington, WV, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 7, 2025. She was born September 27, 1932, in Huntington, WV, the daughter of the late Henry Richard Smith and Bernice Marie Fannin Smith of Huntington. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Merritt, Jr.; sister, Helen Robbins; sisters-in-law, Patricia Smith and Billie Smith; son-in-law, Robert Jones and grandson, Matthew Jones. Surviving are her daughters Lynn Sommerville (David) and Jean Anne Jones; grandchildren, Lauren Sommerville Falkner (Paul), Rachel Sommerville McClure (Josh), Courtenay Jones Johnson (Seth); grandsons, Robert Jones, Nicholas Jones and Alex Jones (Staranna); brother, Robert Smith (JoAnna); sister-in-law, Sharon Blankenship (Larry); eight great-grandchildren, Blair and Ivy Falkner, Emma and Ben Johnson, and Declan, Freya, Killian and Lachlynn Jones; a beloved cousin, David Hicks, and several nieces and nephews.
Lois was a graduate of Huntington High School, Marshall University and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She was taught Latin and English at Lincoln JHS, Cammack JHS, Huntington High School, and Covenant School.
She was a charter member of The Musical Arts Guild and played many roles there as well as in many Community Players' productions. She also served as a lay member on the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
She loved her Lord, her family and friends, her students, music and books. She was a charter member of New Baptist Church, having been a 65-year member of the former 20th Street Baptist Church. She continued to teach the Bykota Class into her 90s.
Visitation will be at Beard Mortuary on Sunday, August 10 from 4-7 p.m. and on Monday, August 11 at New Baptist Church from 12-2 p.m. The service will be at 2 p.m. at the church.
Contributions may be made in her memory to New Baptist Church, 610 28th St. Htgn 25702.
Please leave an online condolence for her family at www.beardmortuary.com.