Obituary of Brenda Dian Reese Merrifield

Brenda Dian Reese Merrifield, 77, of Fairmont, passed away on Friday, June 19, 2020 at Ruby Memorial Hospital. She was born August 19, 1942 in Fairmont, WV, a daughter of the late Charles Ralph and Irene Margaret “Madge” Brown Reese. Brenda was a member of the Faith Church International in Fairmont. She was a 1960 graduate of East Fairmont High School, a 1964 graduate of Fairmont State College with her bachelors’ degree in education, a 1967 graduate of West Virginia University with her masters’ degree in education, and a 1983 graduate of Fairmont State College with her Associate in Arts degree in nursing. Brenda taught locally in the public school system for over eight years which included Brooke, Jackson and Marion County schools. Upon obtaining her nursing degree, she then served in healthcare with Fairmont General Hospital, WVU Family Medicine, the Monongalia County Technical Education Center, and WVU Hospitals from which she retired in 2012. Brenda loved caring for others and enjoyed mentoring new nurses in the healthcare industry. She enjoyed bowling, playing bridge, dancing, yard work, and spending time with her family and friends. In the past she had served with the Junior Women’s Club, the Junior League, driven for Meals on Wheels, and served as a hospital volunteer. She was a devoted animal lover and was blessed to have her canine and feline family over the last 70 years, including: Bow-wow, Bootsie, Lucky, Duchess, Molly, Tillie, Toad, Trixie, Bailey, Ziggy, Tommy, Dublin, Muffin, Sugar Cookie, JoBo, Shooty, Polecat, Abigail, Ebony, and Charlie. She is survived by her daughter, Belinda Beth Pell Murray of Charlotte, NC, her grandson, Michael Edward Murray of Charlotte, NC, her step-children, John R. Merrifield, Jocilla A. Merrifield, Jeff Merrifield, and Jay Merrifield, all of Fairmont, her former husbands, Pete Pell and John Merrifield, as well as her special friend, Jim DeVault. Brenda is also survived by her brother, Dr. Charles D. “Chuck” and his wife Carole Reese of Fairmont, her nephews, Chad A. and his wife Patricia Reese of Auburn, AL, Craig E. and his wife Jennifer Reese of Arizona, her great nieces and nephews, Merandia Reese, Treslyn and her husband Zach Place and Alan Reese all of Auburn, AL, as well as her special longtime friends, Aleisa A. Petracca and Maria Merrifield, her special neighbor, Peggy S. Powell, and her former great grandchildren: Tyler Watton, Jeffrey Merrifield, Logan Merrifield, Jocie, Tucker, and Abigail Merrifield, Jay B. Merrifield, Hannah Merrifield, and Ryan Merrifield. She was preceded in death by her former in-laws; Walter E. and Virginia Pell, and Pauline Merrifield. The family would like to thank the staff from 9 East and 7 West at Ruby Memorial Hospital for their excellent care and detailed attention to Brenda’s needs. Memorial Donations may be made to Pet Helpers, 726 East Park Avenue, PMB 311, Fairmont, WV 26554. The family has entrusted the services to Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont. Friends and family are invited to a graveside committal service to be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 11AM at Glady Creek Cemetery in Fairmont with Pastor Rebecca Polis officiating. Online condolences may be made to www.fordfuneralhomes.com.