Irene Sallie Merritt, age 91, a lifelong Caney, OK area resident. She was born on Thursday, July 2, 1931, to Clarence and Lena (Emmons) Davis, at Commerce, TX. Irene passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Coalgate, OK. She attended High Hill School. Irene was a housewife and homemaker and a provider for DHS. She married Robert Edward Merritt in August, 1946 at Atoka, OK.  They celebrated 56 wonderful years of marriage before his passing in 2002. Irene was of the Pentecostal Holiness faith, a member of the VFW auxiliary, enjoyed camping, fishing, reading, garage sales and loved visiting with family and friends.
Irene is survived by her children, Nancy Coates and husband Dwight of Caney OK, Lucille Broughton and husband Doyal of Caney, OK, Alice Hunt and husband Jesse of Atoka, OK, Robert Simpson and wife Sheryl of Caney, OK, David Merritt of the home in Caney, OK; 16 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren; sisters, Thelma Woolf of Tushka, OK, Edna Sheffield of Lane, OK; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Lena (Emmons) Davis; husband, Robert Merritt; son, Jimmy Merritt; siblings, Jesse Eugene Davis, twin infant brother Ira Davis, Florene Camp, Marie White, Pauline Davis; grandchildren, Justin Coates, Sherry Broughton, Summer Burke.
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DATE OF SERVICES: 02:00 PM Monday, May 1st, 2023
PLACE OF SERVICES: Atoka Funeral Home, Atoka, Oklahoma
OFFICIATING: Bro. Jerry Richard
INTERMENT: High Hill Cemetery, Atoka, Oklahoma
CASKETBEARERS: Eddie Broughton, Matthew Costner, Jordan Blakley, Shelby Milam, Jacob Thompson, David Milam
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Charles Keener, Landon Merritt
CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET.  PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE
FAMILY NIGHT IS SUNDAY 6-8PM

SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
ATOKA FUNERAL HOME - ATOKA, OK