Beverly G. Merrick

Beverly G. Merrick, 71, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2016, at CHI Good Samaritan-Kearney. Beverly unselfishly gave the gift of life to others as she was an organ donor. Beverly was born November 20, 1944, in Troy, Kansas, to Horace and Vola (Clausen) Merrick. She was a graduate of Kearney High School. Education was always very important to Beverly, and she went on to attain two Master’s Degrees with honors in Journalism and English from Marshall University, as well as a PhD with honors in Mass Communications and Journalism from Ohio University. She was a Professor, and taught at Ohio University, Georgia Southern University, University of South Dakota, New Mexico State University, and American University in Dubai. Beverly received numerous writing awards in journalism and poetry. In the 1970’s she was awarded the Homemaker of the Year for the Ohio State Fair. Her varying interests included Horticulture, Genealogy, and Women’s Journalism. Beverly was married to John D. Childers for 37 years. The marriage was blessed with three children, John Kevin, Pamela, and Jessica. The marriage would end in divorce, with Beverly taking back her maiden name. Survivors include her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; John Kevin (Amy) Childers of Albuquerque, NM, and their children, Justin, Jennifer, and Paul, and their children, Taylor, Dillon, Andrew, and Braden; daughters, Pamela (Greg) Wells of Chillicothe, OH, as well as their children, Cara, Josey, Justin, Jordan, Bess, and Jackson; and their children, Makenzy, Aiden, Kennedi, Isaac, and Elyn; Jessica (Mark) Gomez of Albuquerque, NM, as well as their children, Christopher and Melissa; two brothers, Gary (Donita) Merrick of Kearney, Nebraska, and Lester (Sandy) Merrick of Myrtle Creek, Oregon; also surviving are nephews and niece, Gina, Mark, Matthew, and special nephew, Stephen. Beverly was preceded in death by her mother, Vola Yolantha Lamontagne; father, Horace Buchanan Merrick; and father of their children, John D. Childers. Memorial Celebration of Life will be Thursday, August 4, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington with Pastor Anne Gahn officiating. There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Inurnment will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery at Amherst, Nebraska at a later date. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. To share online condolences, please visit: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.