Leila Fay Merrell

Born in 1944 in Miami, Arizona, Fay was the daughter of Earl and Delila Mecham. In 1961, she married Douglas "Jerry" Merrell and soon after welcomed two daughters, Laura and Sandy, along with two sons, Wayne and Steven. In 1974, the family relocated to Farmington, New Mexico, where they added another daughter, Melissa, to their loving household.
First and foremost, Fay cherished her role as a wife and mother. She began her career as a waitress at the Holiday Inn, a job she adored because it allowed her to interact with people. Fay later attended beauty school and worked at JCPenney's styling salon, where her love for working with others continued to shine. Ultimately, she returned to waitressing, a profession dear to her heart.
Fay was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Delila Mecham; her twin sister, Kay Fette; her brothers, Jerry and Alvin Mecham; and her grandson, Jeremy Daniel Smith. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Merrell; her children, Laura (Chuck) Smith, Sandy (Mark) McCool, Wayne Merrell, Steven (Wendy) Merrell, and Melissa Duncan; as well as her grandchildren, Waylon Smith, Tyler (Brandi) Smith, Danielle (Ryan) Oliva, Michael McCool, Jessica (Jason) McLaren, Mitchell McCool, Bryce (Roz) Merrell, Eric (Kayla) Merrell, Yenelli Merrell, Tyren (Tomeia) Merrell, Deryk Duncan, and Dylan Duncan.
Fay also leaves behind her beloved great-grandchildren: Blakely, Elora, Alice, Luke, Stella, Kamber, Bruin, Corbin, Noah, and Bristol.
Celebration of life services will be at Day3 Church on November 15, 2025 at 10:00 am with reception to follow the services
Burial will be in the spring in Thatcher AZ. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leila, please visit our floral store.