Christine Cleveland Merkel

She was born on July 5, 1963, in Cooperstown, NY, to Thomas “Tom” George Cleveland and Jessie “Jennie” Farrar Cleveland. In 1975, the family moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where her father developed land and built homes in the area. He constructed a large family home with a pool on several acres in the woods of Murrells Inlet. As teenagers, Chris and her sister Beth enjoyed many good times at the beach during the day and waiting tables at night together in a local restaurant. They cherished dance parties and simply hanging out. Her parents bought her a Toyota Corolla, which she drove down the long dirt road from their house to the main highway. When a contractor once informed her father that they could not make a delivery down that long dirt road after a hard rain, he famously responded “My 17-year-old daughter drives a Toyota Corolla down that road, so surely you can make that delivery!”

After graduating high school in 1981, Chris attended the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, where she obtained her degree in English Literature in 1985. She worked at the Book Dispensary in Columbia and later moved to Atlanta that year when the company asked to manage the store there. Chris met Veronica Brown (Nicki) who worked at a sister company store, and they quickly became close friends and coworkers throughout much of Chris’s career. She also met her first husband Brian, who was employed at the store. Chris’s youngest sister Kathleen fondly remembers spending a week each summer with them while she was on summer vacation from school and all the fun things they did while she was with them. Her sister Beth remembers many fun trips taken over the years with their husbands.

After her time at the Book Dispensary, Chris transitioned into a role as a technical writer with Erdas, thanks to Nicki’s encouragement. Over the years, they worked together at several other companies, with Chris evolving from a technical writer to a technical marketing writer and later into marketing communications. Along the way she earned an MBA from Oglethorpe University, further enhancing her skills as a leader. She became the Director of Marketing for Aderant, a legal industry software provider. Her final job was at LexisNexis until she left in 2021.

While working at Aderant, Chris met Warren, who would casually stop by her office and chat on his way to his workstation. She was newly divorced and in a state of transition in her personal life. In late 2013, he worked up the courage to ask her to an after-hours company gathering, marking the beginning of their wonderful relationship and eventual marriage. Warren proposed to Chris while overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge in May of 2018, and they were married in September of the same year. A private ceremony was held at the home of friends Richard and Janice Prescott, overlooking the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains near Bryson City, NC.

Chris was known for her warmth, compassion, generosity, and level-headedness. She was also incredibly intelligent, quick-witted, and funny. She loved her family and was always there to help with any need she could meet. She helped her niece Gabby with college expenses and mentored her along the way.

Chris had many interests and hobbies, including trips with a convertible roadster enthusiast group that holds rallies around the U.S. and Canada, solving difficult jigsaw puzzles, completing crossword puzzles, reading, bird watching, caring for her orchids, enjoying music, a good glass of wine, and writing. After her retirement, she wrote a nearly complete fictional novel.

Chris was a beloved wife, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be deeply missed by her husband, Warren; her mother, Jennie; her sister, Beth Cleveland Geiger (Brad); her sister, Kathleen Cleveland Sellers (Shaun); brother-in-law, Bob Merkel (Vicki); her nephew, Ian Geiger; her nieces, Gabby and Lily Sellers; as well as seven additional nieces and nephews, and many close friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas “Tom” Cleveland.

A Memorial Service will be held on August 31, 2024, at 11:00 am at Roswell Funeral Home to celebrate Chris’s life and honor her contributions to our world. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Chris loved all animals and the family requests donations be made to an animal adoption or rescue charity of your choice in memory of Chris. Her departure leaves a void in our hearts, but her legacy of compassion and caring will forever be cherished.