Graveside Service: 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kennett.

Burial: Memorial Gardens in Kennett.

Christine Davenport Merrick passed from this life Monday, January 13, 2014, at NHC Rehabilitation Facility at the age of 95, after suffering a fall at her home.

The eldest of three daughters of Calvin and Connie Davenport, she was born in Senath, Missouri January 18, 1918. On January 18, 1936 she married Leo Merrick. Mrs. Merrick was a member of First United Methodist Church at Senath for over eighty years and until recently was in regular attendance at the First United Methodist Church in Kennett. A long-time resident of the Nesbit farming community she was an active member of the Senath and Hornersville chapter of Order of the Eastern Star for over fifty years. She also served as Mother Advisor of the Hornersville Order of Rainbow for Girls, and as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She was the oldest living alumnus of Senath High School and was valedictorian of the class of 1934.

Christine enjoyed working crossword puzzles, was a voracious reader, and an avid Cardinal baseball fan. She and Leo enjoyed many years of fishing and traveling in their motorhome in the U.S. and Canada.

She is survived by two children and their spouses; Nancy Swindle (Larry) of Kennett, and Tony Merrick (Susan) of Cedar Park, Texas; two grandchildren and their spouses, Shea Walsworth (Don) of Leawood, Kansas, and Jason Swindle (Sarah) of Columbia, Missouri; and five great-grandchildren, Tripp and Kate Walsworth of Leawood, Kansas and Claire, Ella, and John Parker Swindle of Columbia, Missouri, one surviving sister, Glenda Mae Parker (Donald) of Kennett, and special friend Betty Shelton of Kennett.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Leo Merrick, her parents, and her sister Mattie Dee Goodwin.