Doris June Merrill

Doris June Merrill, 91, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. She was born on September 8, 1933, in Paragould to the late H. Carl and Bessie Simpson. Doris moved to Jonesboro in 1953 after spending her childhood in Paragould and called Jonesboro her home for the remainder of her life. She was a devoted member of Valley View Church of Christ.

Doris dedicated 40 years of her career to Frolic Footwear and later worked at Coldwater Creek after retirement. She had a passion for collecting Snow Village pieces and found joy in cooking meals for her family. Above all, Doris cherished time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the light of her life.

In addition to her parents, Doris was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, Max Merrill; her sister, Ann Dyess; and her brother, Bill Simpson.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Donna Merrill; her grandchildren: Hannah (Dustin) Bridges, Ann (Chad) Fortune, Jo Hannah (Ron) Ross, and Kiley (Will) Fleming; and her great-grandchildren: Merri-Anniston Bridges, Avalise Michael Bridges, Asher Dawayne Bridges, Ella Grace Fleming, Wiley Fleming, Forrest Fleming, David (Jo Leigh) Fortune, and Abigail Fortune. She also leaves behind her special niece, Carolyn Edgar, and longtime family friends, Ted and Janet Hardin.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Emerson Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Herman Cemetery, officiated by Pastor Spencer Furby.

Pallbearers will include Ron Merrill, Dustin Bridges, Will Fleming, Chad Fortune, David Fortune, and Ted Hardin. Doris’s great-grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family would like to express a special thanks to June Stoke at Southwind Heights, as well as the dedicated staff at the Cottages of Belle Meade, Dierksen Hospice, Encompass Health, and the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) in her memory.