Mrs. Ethel Mary Ann Merritt, after 65 years, surrendered to the will of the Lord on Sunday afternoon, March 11, 2007 from Okmulgee.

Better known as "Mae" or "Granny" by her loving family, Mrs. Merritt was born near Grayson, Oklahoma on April 13, 1941, the daughter of McKinley T. and Bertha [Bodry] Lewis.

She attended Okmulgee Public schools and worked during her lifetime as a Nurse aid, most recently for Okmulgee Terrace Nursing Center.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church Central, New Salem Baptist Church and later in life, St. Matthew Baptist Church.

She leaves in God's care; her children, Rosalind Reagan, Rev. McKinley Rice & Serena, Alberta Behn & Mark, Lisa Wilson & Adolph, Ricky Lewis, John Wayne Merritt and Kizzy Crawford, all of Okmulgee; her siblings, Rev. Leman Lewis, Betty Jean Wilson & Bobby, JoAnn Lewis, Rolinda Collins and Angela Lewis, all of Okmulgee; 15 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; along with a caravan of other relatives and friends.

The farewell will be on Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. in the Main Sanctuary of the St. Matthew Baptist Church. Her brother, Rev. Leman Lewis, will officiate and her son, Rev. McKinley Rice, will deliver the eulogy.

The Christian committal will follow in Our Lady of Grace Cemetery in Okmulgee.

You may visit Mae, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home in Okmulgee on Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM.