Lona Lee Merryman

Lona Lee Merryman, 69, of Osceola, formerly of Blytheville, passed away on Feb. 19, 2023, at her home surrounded by family. Lona was born June 2, 1953, in Blytheville to Max Dalton Curtis and Georgia Lee Walker. While growing up and living in Blytheville, she would meet the love of her life, Jack D. Merryman. They were married Dec. 9, 1969, and would go on to have two sons, Bobby and Billy. Lona worked as a homemaker, who enjoyed taking care of her family and spending time with all of her grandchildren. Together, Jack and Lona would remain inseparable and share a lifetime of happiness and memories for 52 years, until Jack’s death on Oct. 9, 2021.

Jack D. Merryman, 72, of Osceola, formerly of Blytheville, passed away Oct. 9, 2021, at his home. Jack was born May 22, 1949, in Blytheville to Horace and Lillian Merryman. As a teenager, he loved to ride motorcycles and worked on sports cars. After getting married, starting his family, Jack started driving a truck over the road for a living and would do so for over 45 years. He loved all his truck driving friends.

Jack and Lona shared he same interests, including their favorite thing, which was spending weekends at the river and lake. During their younger years, they would take their family and go out to the Mississippi River, where they would be joined by friends. Here they would BBQ, ride jet boats and dune-buggies, and go skiing. As they got older, their weekend trips turned to Norfork Lake. With their family and friends at the lake, times could be remembered for fishing and riding in the pontoon boat. Many cherished memories were created throughout those years, especially lots of laughter!

Jack and Lona were preceded in death by their parents, Horace and Lillian Merryman, and Max Dalton Curtis and Georgia Lee Walker.

They are survived by their sons, Bobby Joe Merryman of Osceola and Billly Merryman and his wife Kim of Blytheville. Lona leaves one sister, Dixie Jackson of Little Rock; two brothers, Max Gene Curtis and his wife Cindy of Blytheville and Jimmy Dean Curtis of Gassville; three nieces, Rhonda Lane of Jensen Beach, Fla., Robbin Wells of Charleston, S.C., and Amy Carter of Midway; three grandchildren, Bobby Merryman and his wife Mackenzie of Memphis, Tenn., Matt Merryman and his fiancé Pyper Greer of Blytheville and Brian Calvert of Mountain Home; three great-grandchildren, Declan Carmichael Merryman, Olivia Anne Merryman, and Ruth Calvert.

A memorial service for Jack and Lona will be held Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church in Gosnell, with Bro. Gary Hyde officiating. Condolences can be offered at carneyfuneralhome.com.