Hester Jewel (Anderson) Merritt, age 92, passed from this life Saturday morning, June 4, 2022, at St. John's Place in Fordyce, Arkansas. She was born August 7, 1929, in Camden, Arkansas to Howard and Nancy (Garner) Anderson, the youngest of 11 children. She married James Earl Merritt on March 29, 1947, and they were happily married for seventy-three years. Mrs. Merritt was a faithful member of Two Bayou Church of Christ, having been baptized in Greening Pond at 17 years of age. She was a homemaker, worked as a bookkeeper during her working years, and loved to cook and host anyone in her home at a moment's notice. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers and sisters, Van, Hugh, Mae, Inez, Sam, Jack, Gladys, Bill, Nancy and Floy; husband, James Merritt; and son, Dennis Merritt.

She is survived by her daughters, Kathy Sanders (Richard) and Jamie Sims (Chris) all of Camden, and daughter-in-law, Cindy Merritt Roach (Keith) of New Hampshire; grandchildren, Shannon Sanders (Sylvia Blain), Cory Sanders (Jenny), Jenny Merritt, Sam Merritt and Brett Sims; great-granddaughters, Audrey and Anna Sanders; as well as Tiffany Sims, Kyndalin and Kaison; Tyler Sims (Chelsea), Nixon, Destini and Gabe; Benjamin and Nicholas Blain. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews to whom she was second mom and who will cherish her memory.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. John's Place and Arkansas Hospice.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Southern Christian Home, 100 W Harding Street, Morrilton, AR 72110 or Maul Road Church of Christ Food Pantry, 1425 Maul Road, Camden, AR 71701. Visitation will be 9:30-10:30AM Monday, June 6, 2022 at Crain Cemetery. Graveside service will be 10:30AM Monday, June 6, 2022 at Crain Cemetery. Proctor Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.