Marie Teresa Merle

Marie was born on August 21, 1944, to the late Gladstone Franklin and Florence Marie Padgett (nee King).She met and fell in love with the man of her dreams, Robert “Bob” Merle, in Washington DC in 1963. They met at a Church dance. They wed October 17, 1964. Stephen Merle followed a year later, born October 17, 1965.

Bob’s job as a United States Marine took them to Hawaii, Japan and many U.S. Duty stations. Marie enjoyed being a military wife and the adventure this life afforded them.

After 30 years of service Bob retired, and they moved back to the East Coast. Steve had grown up and married his high school sweetheart Nina. They were expecting their first child and Marie did not want to be a long-distance Grandmother.

Marie and Bob moved to Springfield, Va and Marie returned to a job at Archbishop Carroll High School. Marie would later move to Corpus Christi School in Va. She loved being a Grand-mother to her three grandchildren Elizabeth, Robert and Taylor.

Marie and Bob moved to Stafford Va in 2003. The grandchildren grew up, married, and became parents. Marie became a Great Grandmother with the birth of Ryan Charles Merle in 2011, followed by twin great grand-daughters, Agnes and Emerson, in 2018.

A few months after the girls were born, Bob and Marie moved to Ellicott City, Maryland to be closer to family. Since that move, they have enjoyed spending time with their kids, grandkids and great grandchildren.

Marie celebrated her 80th Birthday last week, surrounded by her family. She lived a full life and had many adventurous trips with Bob. They traveled to 14 countries and 33 states.

She enjoyed creating cards and cross stitching in her free time.

The Lord called her home on Tuesday August 27, surrounded by her family.

She is survived by her loving husband Bob Merle, son Stephen Merle, daughter in law Nina Merle, granddaughter Elizabeth (Merle) Wolfe her husband Christian, her great granddaughters, Agnes and Emerson Wolfe, her grandson Robert S. Merle, grandson Taylor Merle and his son Ryan Merle. Her sister Jeanne Smallwood (Richard), brother Charles Padgett and his wife Sarah, sister-in-law Sue (Padgett) Morrow and her husband Rob Morrow. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Marie was predeceased by her parents, Franklin and Florence Padgett and brother Arthur Padgett.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory online to Sacred
Heart Southern Missions, or by mailing to Sacred Heart Southern Missions, ATTN: Donor Services, PO Box 300, Walls, MS  38680.

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