Virginia "Ginny" Moody Merrell died peacefully in her home on November 16, 2008, in Monticello, Arkansas. She was born July 9, 1935, near Brinkley, Arkansas. Preceding her in death were her parents, Flora Smith Moody and Edward Lawrence Moody; a brother, James Moody of Idaho; a sister, Alice Koepke of San Antonio, Texas; a half-brother, Joe Moody, of Searcy; and a half-sister, Flossie DeClue, of Heber Springs. Survivors include her high school sweetheart and loving husband of 54 years, Dr. Curtis Merrell; three sons, Colonel Scott Merrell (and wife, Alecia) of Clifton, Virginia; Craig Merrell of Oxford, Mississippi; and Drew Merrell (and wife, Kim) of Monticello; three grandsons, Peyton and Reid Merrell of Monticello and Andrew John (AJ) Merrell of Clifton, Virginia; two granddaughters, Aubrey Kate and Riley Elizabeth Merrell of Oxford, Mississippi; and three sisters, Jean Harney of Texas and Becky Beck and Connie Flickinger of Stuttgart. After Ginny's mother died when Ginny was 11 years old, she and some of her siblings moved to King's Ranch, near Kingsville, Texas, to live with grandparents. Ginny moved to Forrest City at age 15 to live with an Aunt and Uncle where she met Curtis in the 10th Grade and they were soon dating. Ginny was a very good student and very popular. She was Vice President of the Student Council, Miss Forrest City High School, Halloween Queen, Homecoming Queen, a Class Beauty in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, and runner up to Miss St. Francis County. Ginny received faculty awards for "Most Valuable Service to the School" and "Outstanding Senior." Ginny attended college in Memphis for one year, then she and Curtis married and she moved to Arkadelphia where he was enrolled at Ouachita Baptist College. Ginny worked for a Prosecuting Attorney until Curtis graduated in 1957. They then moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, while Curtis served in the U.S. Army for two years. They then moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Curtis Received his Masters Degree, followed by a move to Helena where Ginny worked for a local attorney while Curtis taught math and coached for seven years. They then moved to Pomfret Hall on the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus, where Curtis served as Head Resident while he earned his Doctoral Degree in Education Administration, and Ginny took care of their sons, Scott, who was born in 1965, and Craig, who was born in 1967. In 1969, the Merrells moved to Monticello after Curtis accepted a job in education administration. Curtis and Ginny joined the First Baptist Church of Monticello that same year, and their son, Drew, was born in 1971. Ginny volunteered many hours for school and community activities while taking care of the boys. She received an award as Outstanding Junior Auxiliary Member, took the kids to swim team, t-ball, baseball, football practice and games and still found time to continue her education. She took about 20 hours of correspondence from the University of Texas, Austin, Texas, in Gerontology, went to the University of Arkansas at Monticello part time, and drove to Pine Bluff three nights a week to attend classes at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for two years to get her certification as a licensed social worker, specializing in Gerontology. Ginny volunteered a lot of her time with the Senior Citizens' Center, later working there for four days a week, then three, until 2000, as a Social Worker and Activities Coordinator. Ginny loved spending time in the outdoors, fishing with Curtis, and playing tennis. She and Curtis won the Monticello Country Club Mixed Doubles Senior Championship when they were 43 years old.E Ginny was a Chairman of "Safety Town USA" for Arkansas from 1978 to 1985. She was Child Immunization Volunteer of the Year while serving as Chairman for Drew County and working with Betty Bumpers in the state-wide immunization program. She was honored with a lunch with Betty and Governor Dale Bumpers at the Governor's Mansion for her efforts. She was later recognized as an Arkansas Volunteer of the Year in 1982,