Mrs. Doris Virginia (Carmean) Merritt, 91, wife of the late Elton L. Merritt Sr., passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Onancock. She was a native of Eden, Md. and resided in Cape Charles. She was the daughter of the late Homer Sidney Carmean and Betty Virginia (Townsend) Carmean. Doris was a member of the Full Gospel Church and a volunteer member of the Cape Charles Fire Department for many years.
Doris leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and boundless generosity. She was a pillar of strength for her family and a beacon of light for all who crossed her path. Doris lived a very active and fulfilling life, leaving behind many cherished memories for all her family.
As a devoted mother of seven, she poured her heart and soul into nurturing her family and instilling each one with the values of compassion, resilience, and integrity that will last for generations to come. Along with raising her family, she worked for over 20 years at the Meatland grocery store as the head cashier and later did managerial office work. Because she enjoyed working with the public and meeting new people, she returned to work after retirement and continued working part time until she was 88 years old. With a warm smile and welcoming demeanor, she touched the lives of people from all over.
She enjoyed sitting at the beachfront watching the sunset and chatting with friends, old and new. She loved cooking and baking big holiday meals for her family. If you wanted to put a smile on her face, all you had to do was take her to play bingo and visit the casinos. You could always find her at her favorite slot machine, The Pink Diamond.
She is survived by her children, Mary Phipps (David), Elton L. Merritt Jr., Timothy Merritt (Karen), Teresa Wayman (Bart), Christopher Merritt (Lisa), and Angela Merritt Rosa (Niva); two brothers, Riley and Jimmy Lee Carmean; one sister, Vera Mae Diaz; 15 grandchildren, Derek Abraham, Kris Abraham, Renee Landon, Christina Bonniwell, Elton Merritt Jr., Logan Merritt, Timmy Merritt, Lindsay Merritt, Jeff Wayman, Matt Wayman, Shannon Merritt Castaneda, Laura Merritt, Hunter Elliott, Heather Elliott, Misti Rosa, and Chris Elliott; 20 great-grandchildren, Alyssia, Taylor, Marrissa, Tyler, Natalya, Natalie, Aiden, Evelyn, Olivia, Isaac, Haven, Chance, Malachi, Chayce, Ethan, Isaac, Keely, Elijah, Carmelo, and Lia; and two great-great-grandchildren, Kairo and Avalei. Doris will be fondly remembered for her unwavering devotion to her family. She will be deeply missed.
She was predeceased by a daughter, Lillie Merritt Parker; a grandson, Geoff Abraham; a granddaughter, Meranda Merritt; a great-grandson, Wyatt Merritt; a brother, Albert Carmean; and two sisters, Thelma Breyer and Susie Taylor.
A memorial service will be held at Full Gospel Church in Cape Charles on Saturday, May 11, at 2 p.m., with Pastor Randy Lewis officiating. Visitation at the church will be one hour prior to the service. A reception will follow at the church’s recreation hall.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
