Joan Dell (Westfaul) Merchant was born October 9, 1948 in Mobile, Alabama to Robert and Myrtle Cole Westfaul and passed away April 9, 2021 in Conroe, Texas. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Merchant, daughter and son-in-law Amanda (Merchant) and Jeff Blythe, grandsons Douglas and Nicholas Blythe, sister Barbara Kiker, brother Lee Westfaul (Jan), sister Sandra Southern (Jim), numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-great nephews.
Joan and Jerry were married 50 years. Their love story was one of wonder. He literally followed her across the country to marry her finally in Houston, Texas. They had Amanda and she became a stay at home wife and mother. Although they had some rough times, she always found options and ways to work through them with a smile on her face.
Joan was into crafting and scrapbooking. She had a unique way to create from scratch things into beautiful one-of-a-kind project. She had a craft room that was said to be a “mini wonderland” where she could lose herself for hours. In fact, she made all the flower arrangements and decorations for Amanda’s wedding herself.
Joan was a lifetime member of the VFW, DAV and American Legion where she held various positions within the organization. She had a love to help and assist any veteran in need. One of her proudest accomplishments was being the ombudsman for Houston Cargo Handling unit Jerry was a part of in 1991. Jerry was recalled to activate duty in Desert Storm, and she stepped up to assist the 55 families of the unit. She did everything from getting rent and bills paid, food and important family messages to the men of the unit.
Her love for her daughter was incredible. She said” Amanda was her purpose in life.” They had a mother/daughter bond that was like no other. They went to resale shops, antiquing, and ballet. Amanda got them tickets to The Nutcracker which was one of the things on her bucket list.
Anyone who knew Joan for even 5 minutes, knew she was genuine. She was always smiling and laughing and tried to make you too as well. She was a wonderful wife, incredible mother, caring sister and aunt and loyal friend.
Celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 2:00pm at Cashner Funeral Home. The family requested in lieu of flowers, they would prefer plants.
