Carol Merrell

Our beloved wife and mother, Carol Kay Blessing Merrell, was born Feb. 15, 1937, in Safford, Ariz., and left this mortal life to join her Heavenly Father, her parents, Flora and Jim Blessing, and her grandson Christopher James Merrell on Aug. 8, 2017. She left behind her eternal sweetheart, L. Ellsworth Merrell to whom she was sealed 60 years ago on June 24, 1957, in the Mesa, Arizona, Latter-day Saint temple; and her four boys, James Benjamin (Rebecca), Apple Valley; Bradley Scott (Julie), Apple Valley; Paul Lawrence, Minneapolis; and David Blessing (Charlie), Riverside. Ellsworth always boasted to the world that he had been blessed with a wife who had more than her share of common sense. She also will be missed by her grandchildren, Clint (Jessica) (great grandchildren Jared, Blake, and Brooklyn), St. George, Utah; Amanda (Travis) Foster (great-grandchildren Vivian and Zachary), Apple Valley; Curtis (Julie) (great-granddaughter Autumn), Ridgecrest, Calif.; and Brian, Apple Valley. Her grandchildren remember her as boisterous, fun, and full of lipstick kisses. As well, both her children and her grandchildren knew she would keep them in line with a "love" tap backed by a strong arm - or a fly swatter. Carol was strong, brave, opinionated, determined -and always right. Others who saw her wide happy smile could not help but smile back. She was an incredible cook and seamstress, and an expert at supervising Ellsworth in the garden. Visitors to her home were astounded by the spread she put on for an everyday dinner. Her beloved and pampered dogs, Cricket and Squirt, were only the most recent in a string of dogs, cats, squirrels, birds, lizards, rabbits, hamsters, fish, snakes and chickens. Carol was active in her service to her family, church, and friends. She organized church dinners and raised funds with cupcake sales and "dime-a-dip" dinners. She lovingly cared for children in the church as though they were her own and taught her church "sisters" home skills. Her family is forever grateful to the medical staff who cared for her; extending her life blessed us greatly. Mom, we will love you and miss you until we meet again. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, at the Latter-day Saint Chapel, 15500 Tuscola Road, Apple Valley, Calif. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10 to 10:45 a.m. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, at 10 a.m. in the Safford, Ariz., City Cemetery at the base of her beloved Mt. Graham.