Lois Emma Merritt

June 7, 1926 - May 20, 2017

Lois Emma Brown Stephenson Merritt, 90, Leesburg, Florida passed away on May 20, 2017 at Lane Purcell Hospice House in Sumterville, Florida. Lois was born on June 7, 1926 in St. Cloud, Florida at the home of her parents Lillard Leon (Lynn) Brown and Eula Maude Adamson Brown. She was a longtime resident of Leesburg and was of the Christian faith. She graduated from Saint Cloud High School and was recruited into the FBI to work in Washington D.C. as a fingerprint specialist. When first married, she and her husband worked on an Indian reservation in Montana where she coached basketball. After many years working in the parts department in Sears and for the American Can company, she worked for the U.S. Postal Service for over 20 years of service in Leesburg, Florida and Pontiac, Michigan. She was a religious woman which helped to shape her life. She is survived by her daughters: Dr. Mary Lee Stephenson Huffer and her husband Nolan of Leesburg, Florida and Linda (Lynn) Sue Stephenson Francis and her husband Woodrow of Conway, Arkansas; sons: Rev. Dr. John Marion Stephenson and his wife Sharon of Largo, Florida and David Lynn Stephenson of Ocala, Florida; a sister: Doris Mae Pappariella and her husband Aldo of Palmyra, Pennsylvania; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Graveside Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 11:00AM at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Leesburg, Florida. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.pagetheus.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Page-Theus Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Leesburg.