Biography of Joseph Marvin Merritt
Tuesday, April 3, 2003
Lera Barrus Merritt passed away in her sleep, the result of a brief illness, on Sunday, March 23, 2003 at Legacy Homes in Thayne, at the age of 95.
She was born July 3, 1907 in Bitter Creek, now known as Fairview, Wyoming to Orrin Orlando Barrus and Mary Elizabeth Clark Barrus. She lived there, and then in South Carolina while her parents served a mission there. After returning to Wyoming, she attended school in Fairview until she reached high school age, when she began attending Star Valley High School.
The family moved to Logan, Utah during that time, and she finished her schooling at Bigham Young College there.
Lera always loved learning. She learned to play piano at a young age. She enjoyed learning in school. She wanted to help others learn, as well. She returned to Star Valley to teach school after completing the necessary schooling.
She met Joseph Marvin Merritt at a dance in Thayne, and they were married in 1927 in the Logan, Utah LDS temple. To their union were born 11 children. Lera returned to college when most of the children were grown and earned her bachelor's degree in education. She then taught in Lincoln County School District No. Two for 15 years.
She was always active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding many positions of service. She and Joseph served missions to British Columbia, Canada, and to Arizona. They served in the Idaho Falls temple for 14 years, never missing an assignment.
She and her husband traveled many places together in their retirement years, including the South Pacific, Europe, the HOly Land, and Canada. Joseph died in 1995. Since that time, Lera lived under the care of her grandson Alan, and his wife Eileen at Legacy Homes in Thayne, leaving to live in Ogden with her daughter Beth for a year.
Her husband, and three sons, Von, Alan, and Orrin, preceded her in death. Her children Marie Tolman Wade, Dean, Lavere, Mary Jo Schwab, Marlene Glad, Beth White, Bonnie McBride, and Wayne survive her.
She left behind 44 grandchildren, 104 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great grandchildren, with 4 more on the way. She lived as a great example to her family and others, and will be remembered with gratitude and love.