Polly entered into heaven on December 17th, 2013, 2 weeks after her 87th birthday. She was born in Vidalia, Ga on December 3, 1926 to Cora Lee and Major Dykes. Polly was the 5th of 6 children and spent all of her young life in south Georgia. Polly and Walter Merritt were married in 1947 in Augusta, Ga and celebrated 60 years together.

Walter's career with Armour Foods carried them to different cities to live, including Augusta, Macon and Atlanta Georgia, Jacksonville Florida, Louisville Kentucky, and lastly here to Kansas City. She worked for C&S Bank in Atlanta before becoming a full time homemaker when her children were born. Polly led Sunday School classes her entire adult life, concluding with the senior adult women's class at Emmanuel Baptist in Overland Park. Bible study time, prayer and caring for her family and friends were Polly's priorities in life. She accepted Christ as her Savior in her 30s and used every opportunity to live and witness for Him. Polly loved to be outside tending to her garden and flowers. When grandchildren were born, she and Walter poured themselves and their faith into 3 precious lives.

Due to the onset of Alzheimer's, Polly spent the final 2 years of her sweet life at Grace Gardens in Leawood, Kansas. She was appreciative each day of the compassion and love every staff member shared with her. Her family has been blessed and comforted by the exceptional care she received.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Walter Harris Merritt; brothers, Edwin Dykes of Hinesville Ga, and Jule Dykes (Jeanette) of Brunswick, Ga; sisters, Ruth Kitchen (James) of Nashville Tn, Bess Timmerman of Atlanta Ga, brother-in-law MH Mason of Metter, Ga, and sister-in law Mary Youngblood of Atlanta . She is survived by sister Corene Mason Dugger of Wrightsville, GA,; brother-in-law Don Timmerman of Atlanta; son Tim Merritt of Atlanta, daughter Paula Merritt Davis (Donald Dean) of Overland Park; grandchildren, Autumn Merritt of Atlanta, Mallory and Kyle Davis of Overland Park, as well as numerous nephews and nieces in the south.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 10100 Metcalf, Overland Park, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Johnson County Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church, or to Grace Gardens Assisted Living in Leawood.

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