Janice L Merrill

Lakeland – Janice Little Merrill, passed away on April 27, 2018. She was born to Grover Cleveland and Lucy Hamilton Little on June 1, 1921 in Newton, NC. She graduated from Appalachia State Teachers College and taught at Kathleen Jr. High School. Janice married George B. Merrill on February 4, 1945. Janice was member of the Garden Club, a flower show judge, president of First United Methodist Church circle 7, president of the Homebuilders Sunday School class and charter member, President of Junior Sorosis Club, and an active member of P.E.O. She enjoyed playing bridge, oil painting, playing golf, watching sports especially golf, basketball, and football, and loved attending her 4th of July family reunions in North Carolina. She is survived by two sons George Robert Merrill (Susan) and Mark McLean Merrill (Loreli), two grandchildren Melissa Pearson (Mike) and Michael Merrill, three great-grandchildren MacLean, Mitchell, and Major Pearson, and her identical twin sister Josie Little Speas. She was preceded in death by her husband George B. Merrill, and sister Lucy Little Ayers. In Lakeland, the family joined First United Methodist Church and attended the Homebuilders Sunday School Class. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Lakeland. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 7th at 2pm in the Chapel at first United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801.