Betty Jane (Bj) Merrill

Betty Jane (BJ) Jackson Merrill. BJ Merrill, 82, passed away June 13, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. BJ was born in Norfolk, VA, and as a child moved with her family to Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated from Lee High School and attended FSU where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. After the untimely death of her husband Bill Merrill, she moved from the Chicago area back to Jacksonville, settling in Atlantic Beach. BJ was known by all for her loving nature, fondness for laughter, and musical and rhythmic gifts. She played piano by ear, often being mistaken as a professional musician, and enjoyed competitive ballroom dancing. Her numerous jobs and volunteer activities always involved helping others. She served as guardian ad litem and played piano for numerous churches and retirement centers including a stint with the Aristocats, a small jazz band at Fleet Landing Retirement Community. Her strong Christian faith was central in her life. She was an elder in the Presbyterian church and a prayer counselor for Christian Healing Ministries. Her strongest commitments were to the five generations of her family with whom she shared her deep capacity for love, commitment, fun, music, and dance.

She was predeceased by her husband William Edward Merrill, and her parents, Warren Boyd Jackson (CMD US Navy) and Otis Ophelia (Phoebe) Dowdy Jackson. She is survived by her sisters Phoebe Jackson Smith (Bob) of Jacksonville, FL, and Pam Jackson Winton (Bob) of Durham, NC, children Catherine Jane Merrill (John Ulloa) of Ocala, FL and Chicago, IL, and Warren Edward Merrill (Lorri), of Jacksonville, FL, five grandchildren (Nicole Dugan (Adam), Jaclynn Salano, William R. Maloney, Caitlin A. Maloney, Lauren Murphy (Tommy), along with four great-grandchildren, six nephews and their families, and cousins.

Visitation will take place Monday, June 18 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 19 at 2 pm at Community Presbyterian Church, 150 Sherry Dr., Atlantic Beach, with Dr. Gabe Goodman presiding.