Barbara Merrell, age 79, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday, June 20, 2021 at her home. Barbara was born to Russell and Wanda (Thomas) Branham at their home on Clearlake Road, Des Arc, Arkansas.
Barbara was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She believed in family, extended family, and community. At her 50
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high school class reunion, she summed up her life to her classmates in the following way: “I married the first time at the age of 20, had my last child at the age of 30 making me the mother of three: Walter, Doug, and Lori Mayhew. Divorced at 32 and spent the next few years working and built a house in the Clear Lake Community where I was born and raised. Remarried at the age of 40 to Windell Merrell, who continues to put up with me.”
Barbara was a devoted wife to her husband Windell Merrell for 39 years. They were married on March 11
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, 1982. She was Windell’s rock, supporter, best-friend and the most important love of his life. Barbara helped Windell start and operate Merrell’s Mowing and Excavation. She even oversaw daily operations when Windell was unavailable while she continued working at Brinkley motors.
Barbara loved and was proud of her children: Walter (Sharon) Mayhew, Doug (Brenda) Mayhew and Lori Sheets. She extended her motherly love to Donnie (Sharon) and Charles (Theresa) Mayhew. Barbara believed once you were part of her family you would always be family.
Barbara, a devoted grandmother, loved watching their activities and being with them. She loved giving hugs and advice, whether they wanted it or not. She believed by sharing her wisdom her grandchildren would not repeat her mistakes.
She enjoyed visiting family, whether they were immediate, extended, or really extended. She loved genealogy and digging into family history.
Lastly, Barbara devoted herself to her community; she served as the Secretary for the Sand Hill Cemetery Association for many years. She helped plan and organize annual fish fries to support the Cemetery Association and she represented the community for several years with a column and articles in the local paper.
Barbara Ann Branham Merrell is survived by her husband Windell Merrell, three children Walter (Sharon) Mayhew, Doug (Brenda) Mayhew, Lori Mayhew Sheets, 2 extended children Donnie (Sharon) Mayhew, Charles (Theresa) Mayhew, 13 grandchildren, Dillon (Ariel) Carnett, Katherine Mayhew, Nicholas Sheets, Marcus Sheets, Jeremy Vaughan, Jason Vaughan, Bobbie Brown, Christopher Sheets, Ariel Sheets, Jamie Mayhew Parson, Chuck Mayhew, Tony Mayhew, and Adrianna Odell, 6 great-grandchildren and two brothers and two sisters. She was proceeded in death by her parents Russell and Wanda Branham.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Sand Hill Cemetery Perpetual Fund.
Memorial will be held at Sand Hill Fire Department on July 17
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from 4 to 7 pm. The family will host a fish fry to celebrate Barbara’s legacy and to raise money for the fire department and cemetery.
