Merita Holloway Cheek

Merita Thompson Holloway Cheek, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on September 17, 2025 at the age of 86. A lifelong resident of Durham and Orange Counties, North Carolina, Merita was born on October 22, 1938, to Ruby Mae Griffin Holloway and Harold Thompson Holloway.

She graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1956 and married the love of her life, Jimmy Edward Cheek, on March 18, 1961. Merita worked in the insurance industry and as an administrative assistant before finding her true calling as a teacher's assistant at Efland-Cheeks Elementary School, where she touched the lives of many children in the Efland community with her sweetness, patience, humor and kindness.

Merita was well known in her community for her extraordinary talent in the kitchen. Her cakes became local legends - coveted items for weddings and birthdays, and fiercely bid on at the annual harvest festival. A gifted baker and devoted cook, she brought joy and comfort to her family, friends and countless others through the meals that she lovingly and thoughtfully prepared.

A lifelong reader, Merita passed down her love of books and her local library to her children and grandchildren, fostering a legacy of curiosity, imagination, and learning.

Throughout her life, she was a faithful member of both Mount Bethel Presbyterian Church and Chestnut Ridge United Methodist Church. Her commitment to service was evident in her years of involvement with the United Methodist Women, her role as a Sunday School teacher and choir member, and the many meals that she prepared for Meals on Wheels and church gatherings.

Merita is survived by her loving husband, Jimmy Edward Cheek; her devoted children, Robert Lynn Cheek and his wife Nancy Rudisill Cheek, and their children Courtney Lynn Cheek and Nathan Alexander Cheek; Kimberly Kay Cheek Schott and her husband Charles Schott; Jody Edward Cheek and his wife Misty Chance Cheek; Kristi Dawn Cheek, her children Charles Jacob Anspach (wife Emily Efland Anspach) and Benjamin Edward Anspach, and their father, Charles Gregory Anspach. She is also survived by her loving siblings and many beloved nieces and nephews; brother, Ronald Coleman Holloway (wife Mary Jane); sister, Alice Faye Holloway Parker; as well as her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Betty Ann Bolick Hale (husband Gordon, deceased), Marie Cheek Wilson and husband Raymond, William J. Secrest (wife Durlene, deceased).

Merita was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Ruby Holloway, her brother Robert Reneé Holloway, and her sister Lillie Mae Holloway Philpot (husband Jerry).

Her life was one of love, service, and faith. Merita's lovely smile, true warmth, and deep generosity will be cherished by all who were blessed to be cared for by her.

Visitation will be held at Clements Funeral Homes in Hillsborough, North Carolina on September 22, 2025 at 1:00 pm. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in the Clements Funeral Chapel with Pastor David Bolick officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Authoracare Hospice, Meals on Wheels or similar institutions, or simply honor Merita's memory by sharing a book or baking something sweet for someone in need.