Catherine Merritt

She was born on February 4, 1927 in Whitesburg, Kentucky to the late Emaline and Encoh Bates.

Catherine moved to Michigan and worked at a restaurant in Detroit. She later married and had six children. Catherine raised six strong children in Jackson, Michigan. She was a great mother and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She took care of and nurtured numerous grandchildren. She worked in a small business and was also part owner of a restaurant before she moved to Florida. She moved to Brandon, Florida about 40 years ago with her husband Samuel Merritt. He was transferred with Harris-McBurney to the Tampa Office. Catherine enjoyed working at Publix as a food demonstrator for a number of years. She thoroughly loved working and meeting all the customers at Publix Grocery Store.

Catherine was a member of the Kings Avenue Baptist Church, Sunday School and enjoyed walking daily with her senior friends at the Brandon Mall.

In her free time, she enjoyed working in the yard, reading, cooking, walking and traveling. Catherine loved to go fishing with her husband, children and grandchildren. Spending time with family was very important to her.

In addition to her parents, Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Merritt; siblings, and children, Larry Maddin and Lottie DeSanctis.

Catherine is survived by her children, Loretta Stephens (Bud), Linda Heinzelman (Dale), Lucinda Schultz (Alan), Lorna Maddin; son-in-law, Ray DeSanctis, daughter-in-law, Kathleen Maddin; 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren; many extended family members and good friends. She will be dearly missed by her loving family, friends and neighbors.

A visitation for Catherine will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 from 11:00 AM until the Celebration of Life at 12:00 PM, Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, 2323 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511. Interment will immediately follow in the cemetery gardens.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsboroMemorial.com for the Merritt family.