Eva Mae Merritt

Ms. Eva Mae Merritt was born November 3, 1932, to the late Rev. Earnest J. and Willie Lou Moore McGlothian in Vaiden, Mississippi.


She was baptized at an early age and received her education in the Mississippi school system. She met and married Willie E. Jones (deceased) and they relocated to Saginaw, Michigan. She later married Douglas Alva Merritt (deceased).


Eva was employed and worked as an X-Ray Transporter for the Saginaw Osteopathic Hospital where she worked for many years before retiring. She also volunteered with Saginaw Public Schools in the Foster Grandparents Program and at the Odyssey House, a substance abuse treatment program. Ms. Merritt later relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan and recently to Stone Mountain, Georgia.

In her leisure, she enjoyed listening and singing or whistling to music. During her early years, Eva liked playing card games with friends and continued in her senior years to enjoy old movies and television game shows.

Before relocating to Georgia, she spent time with family, friends and great-grandchildren.


After failing health, she departed this life at age 84 on February 4, 2017 at DeKalb Medical Center in Decatur, Georgia. She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Pamela Jean Jones of Saginaw, Michigan and Florene McGlothian-Taylor (Carl) of East Lansing, Michigan; five grandchildren, Douglas, Kimberly, Jason, Tamyka and Gene; eight great-grandchildren, Demarret, whom she raised as a son from birth, Ray, Kimberly, Timothy, Jermonte, Leesa, Tamyra and Taylor; nine great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Gloria McGlothian and Willie Lee McGlothian; special friends, Luebertha Brown, William Batts, Rose McBride, and Evita Gilbert; two special nieces, Mary Lou and Paris; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loving relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Merritt was preceded in death by her daughter Willie Mae Laury; great-grandson, Milton Jones; her sisters and brothers: Estell Brooks, Berthella Dye, Velma Lou McGlothian, Darlene Glover, Rev. Dr. Odell McGlothian, Sr. and Rev. Norphless McGlothian.

Visitation: Monday, February 13, 2017 - 9:00 a.m. until time of service
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan 48601
(989)754-4826

Funeral Service: Monday, February 13, 2017 - 11:00 a.m.
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan 48601
(989)754-4826

Officiating: Pastor Willie Casey, New Hope Baptist Church
Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery