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BORN
1943
DIED
2025
Cira Mervin Obituary
November 28, 1943 - April 30, 2025
Cary, North Carolina - Cira "Kiki" Mervin, 81, of Cary, NC, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025 at Transitions LifeCare.
Born on November 28, 1943, in Cleveland, OH, and raised in Lenoir, NC, Kiki brought warmth, grace, and joy to all who knew her. She served as the Office Manager for NC State's Student Government, where she was a cherished mentor and guide to countless students over the years. Her compassion and leadership left a lasting imprint on the campus community.
Kiki was a devoted member of Cary Presbyterian Church, where she sang joyfully in the choir and served faithfully with the Stephen Ministry. She also stood in the pulpit as a guest lay preacher, passionately sharing God's word with her church family. A gifted writer, Kiki was recognized by the Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South who published her essay, "Rock of Ages", in their newsletter. Her creative writing style reflected her deep spirituality and vibrant voice.
Known for her impeccable sense of style, infectious spirit, and unmatched pound cakes, Kiki cherished time spent with her family and friends above all.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Leonard Mervin, and her parents, Nathaniel Sutton and Mabel Ferguson.
Kiki is survived by her beloved children and stepchildren: Chris Sutton, John Dixon, Patricia Schultz, Martha Fields, Dana Mervin, Leonard Mervin Jr., Michael Mervin, Betty Graves, Sharon Brown, and Chris Mervin. She also leaves behind a host of dear grandchildren, family, and friends who will miss her deeply and remember her with love.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Cary Presbyterian Church on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with internment to follow in the church's columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor her memory through acts of kindness and love.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Cira Mervin
Thomas Richard Grieve
May 31, 2025
I am so sorry I received this obituary to late to be present on May 17. We spoke monthly on the phone, and exchanged Christmas and Birthday cards for many years. My wife, Celia, and I visited Cira and Len in Cary on occasion until he died. Cira was Maid on Honor in our wedding (Celia & Tom Grieve on Sept 8, 1984) As her obituary observes, Cira was a first class woman and human being. I am so very saddened she is no longer part of my life.
Danyale Davis Laing
May 17, 2025
Mrs Cira was sp influential in my life as a student at NCSU. I worked with her in Student Affairs and from the time I arrived until I graduated she never stopped looking out for me. She taught me some valuable lessons that I pass on today to my own son. I will continue to think of her with fond memories.
Margaret C. (Bobbie)Dula-Wakefield
May 16, 2025
Family, you are in my heart and prayers.
May your memories sustain you through this time, as a source of comfort and strength.
Alvin Sturdivant (former student and friend)
May 15, 2025
It´s hard to put into words the depth of impact Ms. Cira had-not just on me and many others during our time at NC State, but on hearts, minds, and futures. Her passing has left an irreplaceable space in our hearts and in the lives of all who were blessed to know her.
For six years, I engaged with her almost daily and am forever changed because of the way she live her life and showed up for students everyday.
To me, Ms. Cira was more than her role on campus-she was a mother, an auntie, coach, consultant, advisor, and a role model in every sense of the word. I had the immense privilege of learning from her during my earliest days on campus when she worked in African American Student Affairs to my final days during my time with the Judicial Board and Student Government. She was there for every college milestone and impacted me in meaningful ways that can never be repaid. In spaces where decisions were made, tensions ran high, and integrity mattered most, Ms. Cira was a steadying force. She didn´t just model professionalism and wisdom-she modeled care, humanity, and fierce love for students.
Ms. Cira had this extraordinary gift of showing up exactly how you needed her. She could serve a look that turned heads one minute and offer a word that turned lives around the next. Ever-fashionable, ever-composed, she carried herself with a presence that made you want to sit up straighter and do better. Her style was impeccable-but so was her grace, her discernment, and her generosity of spirit.
She poured herself into generations of students-not to mold us into someone else´s image, but to help us discover and refine our own. She affirmed our voices, pushed us toward excellence, and held us accountable in ways only someone who truly believed in us could. Her legacy is etched in our leadership, our decisions, our courage, and our compassion.
Ms. Cira touched countless lives across her years of service to NC State. She was a champion, a truth-teller, and a beacon. Her spirit will continue to live on in every student who dares to lead with authenticity and care, every community that chooses inclusion and integrity, and every alum who still hears her voice in the back of their mind always reminding all of us to always show up and do your best.
Rest well, Ms. Cira. You taught us how to walk tall, speak truth, and love boldly. Thank you for living authentically and modeling the way for so many of us. You are loved and will be remembered always.
Alvin Sturdivant
NC State Class of ´98 & `00
Pauline Goza
May 13, 2025
I worked with Cira for a wonderful semester and loved every minute of it. She was kind and supportive. Her laugh was infectious. I lost touch with her when she moved. I have missed her immensely. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Patricia Dreher
May 11, 2025
My love and prayers toCira 's family
She was a joy to know and work with for many years .May
God's love and peace keep you all.
Amy Langston
May 11, 2025
Cira was a beloved member of CPC and cherished by our family. She was steadfastly patient, enthusiastic, and caring. I enjoyed every moment that I spent with her.
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