Allene Merck

HOMER – Allene Morris Merck, 95, died Sunday, January 16, 2011.

Born on October 19, 1915, in Banks County, she was the daughter of Richard Venable Morris and Gertrude Pritchett Morris. She was devoted to her family and friends. Allene was active in the Temple Baptist Church in Homer. Mrs. Merck was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Albert Merck; parents; loving stepmother, Mollie Dunson Morris; brothers, David and Dank Morris; and a sister, Margaret Morris Bernal.

Survivors include a daughter, Linda Campbell, Homer; son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Rita Merck, Vidalia; son and daughter-in-law, Venable and Dixie Merck, Homer; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Virginia and Will Dozier, Columbus, and Jane Ann and Gary Minor, Wake Forest, N.C.; brothers, Reece and Faye Morris, Maysville, Charles and Ruth Morris, Monroe; and many nieces and nephews.

Allene saw hard, sad times. In 1919 the influenza epidemic came to Banks County. Within two months, four in her family had died. In January 1919 her daddy’s brother and daughter died. Then in February 1919 her mother (age 20) went to nurse her sick sister and she got sick and died, then the sister died.

During the crash of 1929 the family had a big cotton crop. The price of cotton was high – then prices started to fall – cotton was stored in warehouses. Cotton prices continued to fall and had to be sold for little or nothing after paying the storage bill. Then the Maysville Bank went under and the family lost what savings they had.
In 1935 her one-year-old brother, David, was very sick. The doctor came to see him and thought he would be OK. The exhausted family went to sleep and woke up to find the baby dead.

Allene graduated from Maysville High School in 1932. She was employed at Commerce Sportswear for about 20 years. For many years Miss Allene ran a restaurant. First Tiny Town in Homer and later The Maysville Fish House, working until she was 88 years old. Her day started at 3 a.m. She made millions of biscuits, many days using 50 pounds of flour. She loved cooking for and serving her customers.

Allene donated her body to Emory University. She was 95, lived a long productive, active, happy life. She was very sick for the last month, tired, in pain and she wanted to go home to be with the Lord.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Allene Merck to Temple Baptist Church, Box 186, Homer, GA 30547.

The family sincerely appreciates ResCare, Banks County Senior Citizens Center, 911, Fire Department, EMS, Banks-Jackson Medical Center, BJC Nursing Home and all the people working there. We especially thank her good friend, Martha Ramsey.

A memorial service will be held at Temple Baptist Church Saturday, January 22, at 1 p.m., conducted by the Revs. Jason Arrowood and Swayne Cochran. Following the service there will be a meal for family and friends. Please bring and share any special remembrance of Allene.