Lola Wilson Merkey

Lola Wilson Merkey, 86, of Forest, passed away Wednesday, November 9, 2022. She was the wife of David Carlton Merkey for 67 years.

She was born January 8, 1936 in Scott County, Va. to the late Denver Wilson and the late Almeda Johnson Wilson. She was a faithful member of Thomas Road Baptist Church.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers: James Roby, Richard, Ralph, and Denver Wilson, Jr.; and her sisters, Marie Bondurant and Faye Farrar.

Along with her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Glenda Wills (Jim), Marjorie Merkey (Ernie Plante), and Patty Melvin (Mike); four grandchildren: Steven and Jacob (Sonia) Wills, Sarah and Hannah Melvin; one great-grandson David Alexander “Alex” Wills; four brothers: Jerry, Guy, Chuck, and Larry Eugene “Gene” Wilson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Our family is devastated, but we believe she in a better place and at peace. During her final months, she was easy to care for and love. We knew that she could not resist God’s call to get her angel wings and be reunited with her mother and family who passed before her.

Mom was such a hard worker. Her first “real job” was at Blue Buckle Garment Factory and she retired from GE. After retirement, she worked at Walmart for 10 years and at Kohl’s for five years. She worked until her mid-seventies and loved every minute of it. Above all, Mom loved and was devoted to her girls and her grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A celebration of Lola’s life will follow at Fort Hill Memorial Park at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Lynchburg Humane Society.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.