Esther Frances Maler Merritt

Esther Frances Merritt left for her heavenly home at the age of 85 on January 7, 2026. She was lovingly known to her family as Nanny or Queen Esther.

She was born in Sealy, Texas, on August 24, 1940, and lived most of her life on the street that bears her family name, Maler Rd. Eventually, her oldest daughter, Virginia, and her husband, Al, moved down the road from her. The remaining neighbors on the road were primarily family, so they all lovingly watched over each other.

Esther graduated from high school in 1958 and married the love of her life, Clarence Merritt, on October 11, 1958, and they were married for 46 wonderful years. Since Clarence was a firefighter for the City of Houston, they lived in Houston when they started their family and eventually had two daughters, Virginia and Wanda. In the Summer of 1975, the family moved to Sealy.

Once her daughters were grown, she and Clarence spent many Summers in the Sierra Nevada mountains at Twin Lakes Resort, making many friends and doing what she loved, fishing! They also did many other adventurous vacations with friends, including trips to Switzerland and Israel, as well as Maine, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado to visit family.

When Clarence was diagnosed with cancer, they remained in Sealy from that time forward, and he went home to heaven on April 2, 2005.

Esther was well known in Sealy and participated in many clubs and organizations. She served as the President of the Garden Club, assisted with election days, helped with Meals on Wheels for Austin County, and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Sealy for 30+ years, serving as the church secretary for approximately 10 years.

Like her sisters, she was gifted with hospitality and served on the hospitality team. In addition, she went on several mission trips to Mexico and one to the Czech Republic.

She was an excellent cook and hosted many dinners for family and friends. She loved building relationships with family and friends. She also loved playing games, but you had to keep her honest, as the rules of the game may change in her favor from time to time. She was very competitive!

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marie Maler, brother Edward Maler, sisters Tillie Sell and husband Allen Sell, Gladys Frank and husband Herbert Frank, Doris Brast, daughter Virginia Henry and her husband Al Henry, and nephew Tony Frank. She is survived by her daughter, Wanda Abel, and son-in-law Scott Abel. Granddaughters Lindsey Cooper and her husband Kevin, Alyssa Abel, Darci Abel, McKenna Abel, and her fiancé Justin Higdon. Great-grandsons, Connor and Jason Cooper.

Pallbearers are Scott Abel, Justin Higdon, Nick Friedlander, Kevin Cooper, Jerry Gipso,n and Ralph Bond.

Honorary Pallbearers are Connor and Jason Cooper.