Chaney Merritt

Chaney Kathryn Miller Merritt passed away on March 12, 2010 at the Retirement Ranch of Clovis. She was 94 years of age. Chaney was born in Clovis, to Harry and Edna Miller and was their only child. She graduated from Clovis High School in 1932 and was a member of HiAK and Texas Womens University awarded her Bachelor degree in 1936. Chaney married Dean Merritt on May 8, 1938.

They were blessed with four children, Dean, Thomas, Kennedy, and Desna. Chaney worked for the Clovis newspaper as society editor before she started teaching reading and English at Clovis High School. She completed her Masters degree in counseling at Eastern New Mexico University in 1959. After twenty years of counseling at Clovis High, she retired in 1985. Chaney was active in Rainbow for Girls and was the first Grand Worthy Advisor for the New Mexico State International Order of Rainbow for girls. She was a founding member of Chapter AB of PEO. She felt one of her greatest accomplishments in life were all the students she helped to master reading and attain scholarship for higher education. Reading and bridge occupied her time after retirement.

Chaney was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Dean F. Merritt and her son Dean P. Merritt. She is survived by three children: Thomas and his wife Patsy, Ken and his wife Marsha, and Desna Dahlberg and her husband Mel ten grandchildren: Shana Predmore and her husband Brian, Kevin Merritt and his wife Mira, Kendra Doyel and her husband John, Chad Merritt, Ryan Dahlberg, Kyleigh Merritt, Devin Dahlberg, Janna Merritt, Joe Joffrion and his wife Brenda, and Jacque Joffrion and his wife Brittany. There are also ten great grandchildren which delighted Chaney: Braxton Kayla and Ashleigh Karsen and Beck Mckenzie, Harrison and Claire Julia and Jessica.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Clovis, Monday, March 15th at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Harry Reiser and N. Scott King officiating. The graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. at Mission Garden of Memories. Chaney will be in state at SteedTodd Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Clovis Municipal Schools Education Foundation or First United Methodist Church Music Program. The family will be at 121 Tanning Way.

Service