Nelda Faye Merriman

Nelda Faye Merriman, 84, died Friday, March 18, 2022, in Freeman Hospital in Neosho, Mo. She was born on March 17, 1938, in Leon, Oklahoma, to Clarence and Viola (Hice) Denham.

She graduated from high school in Dos Palos, Calif. On June 3, 1957, she married Carl Lee Merriman in Madera, Calif. He preceded her in death on March 4, 2013.

In 1973, Carl and Nelda moved from California to

Rocky Comfort, Mo., where they raised horses and boilers. Nelda worked as a cook for the McDonald County High School, Rocky Comfort School, and Longview Headstart, where she also drove a school bus. She attended Prosperity Baptist Church in Rocky Comfort and, following their move to Neosho in 2009, attended the High Street Christian Church. Nelda loved sewing, quilting, crocheting and spending time with her family.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her three sisters, Joyce Westmoreland, Freda Hartman and Neda Denham.

Survivors are two daughters, Annette Merriman of Webb City, Mo., and Paulette Daugherty and her husband, Bill, of Neosho; three grandchildren, Brett Arrasmith and his wife, Kelly, of St. Louis, Mo., Bethany Arrasmith of Pea Ridge and Brady Arrasmith of Gravette; six great-grandchildren, Shana, Quinton, Brynlee, Madison, Riley, and Lincoln Arrasmith; and one greatgreat-granddaughter, Alaya Furnas.

Under the direction of the Clark Funeral Home in Neosho, a private family service will be held at a later date.

She will be interred with Carl at Union Cemetery in Stella, Mo.