VIRGINIA BEACH- Jean Elizabeth Merchant, 95, went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 21, 2015, in her home. She is predeceased by her husband, Ray Merchant; daughter, Betty and great-grandson, Johnny. Jean was a mail carrier, bookkeeper and school bus driver in Eden, NY until they moved to Virginia Beach. She continued driving a bus for the Virginia Beach Public Schools until her retirement in June 1989. Jean was an active member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, where she served in the Sunday School, choir, day school cafeteria, mailroom, proofreading books, printing press and tape ministry. Jean loved the Lord, missionaries and many others who affectionately called her Grandma Merchant. Her life verses were Proverbs 3:5-6.
She is survived by her children, Gail Slaughenhaupt (John, Sr.), George Merchant (Carol), Karen Button (Sam), Robin Shaffer (Charles, Jr.); nephew, Michael Brown (Clara), whom she and her husband raised; honorary daughter and caretaker, Rose Anne Bernyk; 22 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; 10 great great-grandchildren and numerous other loving family and friends.
A celebration of her life will be held Friday, July 24, 2015 at 2pm at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 717 N. Whitehurst Landing Road, Virginia Beach. Burial will be at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 11am. The family will receive friends at Graham Funeral Home on Thursday from 6:30-8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missions Fund at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Please visit her Book of Memories at www.grahamfuneralhome.com where you may leave a note to the family.