Ruth Evelyn Merriman

Ruth Evelyn Rhay born February 6, 1919 to the union of AK Rhay and Annie Mae Thompson in El Centro,
California. The Family migrated to Turlock, California where she attended schools graduating from Turlock High in 1937. The family attended Friendship Baptist Church in Merced.
Ruther and Gus met and married in 1942, and to their union was born four children Elaine Patricia, Sandra, Bobbie and Geary. Nanny the name that we so fondly called her, retired from the retail industry, being one of the first black women in Merced to work in that industry. She was very sophisticated, very proper, and classy and she loved to dress appropriately in all occasions.
Nanny will be remembered for singing, sewing, and attending church, she also had a great passion for keeping her children neat and clean. Ruth (Nanny) left a deep impression on all who passed her in her life time, she will be so greatly missed by her family.
She left us to join the Lord and Our Ancestors on May 13, 2017. She will meet with her husband Gus of 56 years of marriage her on earth, her daughter Sandra, granddaughter Lorraine and grandson Peewe.
Left to carry her family legacy is her only brother Herbert and wife Mabel Rhay of Fresno, California, oldest daughter Elaine Madkins, and younger daughter Barbara Roland (Bobbie) and her only son Geary Merriman all of Merced. Grandchildren, Regina, Leslie, Pam, Teresa, Latrice, Rachelle, Donna, Rhay, Rondal (Jerica) and Jhay (LaTasha). Great-grandchild; Brealon (Jessical), Julian (Uneeka). Brandon Smith, Donavan, Breyan, (Lorena), Daniel (Valarie). Darren, Brandon Simpson, Darius (Amber), Demetria, Stanley, Rondal, Derek, Keyon, Desmond, Daniel, Jhayla (Veron), Stephanie, Jenaya, Jhaya, Dominic. Mia, Tayah, Jhay Jr. Sean and Jhaylea. Great-great grandchildren; Isias, Jeremiah, Isiah, Jayce, Divinity, Quincy, Nevaeh, Damani, Josa, Royce and Jenesis. Her only niece Gloria Rhay and her only nephew Herbert Rhay. Jr.
Nanny will be missed and one of her famous sayings was, "Don't Nothing Get Old but Clothes!"
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 19, 2017 at 11:00a.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home located at 1490 B Street Merced, California 95341 with interment to follow at Merced District Cemetery located at 1300 B Street Merced, California 95341.
Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.