Mary Florence Merriman Cruise, 77, of McMinnville died Sunday, Aug. 21, at her residence.
She was born Dec. 2, 1933, in Hamilton County and was a retired medical records transcriptionist with River Park Hospital, and attended Primitive Baptist Church. She loved to dance and listen to bluegrass music.
Ms. Cruise was preceded in death by her parents, Hobart V. and Martha Parker Massey; first husband, James Houston Merriman; second husband, Ray Gaines Cruise, and two brothers Hobart Massey Jr., and Thomas Earl Massey.
Survivors include her children, Steve and Carmon Merriman, Helen Massey, Bryce and Reba Merriman, and Sam and Kim Merriman, and sister Martha Evelyn Lewis; grandchildren, Stephanie Sauer, Ben Merriman, Michelle Sansom, Hillary Robinson, Mandi and Houston Merriman, Kelli and Jordan Merriman; great-grandchildren, Austin, Kirkland and Jackson Sauer, Paige, Madison, Kloe, Drew and Lonnie Merriman, Dalton Bess and Elijah Sansom; and nephews, Larry (Marti) and Mark Lewis.
Funeral service is 1 p.m. today at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Elder Ricky Arnold will officiate. Interment will follow at Bethany Cemetery. The family will receive friends today from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the parlors of McMinnville Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Relay for Life or to Caris Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com.
McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Aug. 24, 2011