Billie Jean Merkerson

Billie Jean Merkerson was born in Saltillo, Mississippi, on November 4, 1937, and passed away peacefully in Pensacola, Florida, on December 3, 2024, at age 87. Billie Jean (Towery) Merkerson (Uhr) grew up on a cotton and cattle farm in the Auburn community outside Tupelo, MS. She graduated from Tupelo High School with honors. She married Lewis Merkerson, a sailor, whom she met in church while attending Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus, MS. Billie enjoyed being a Navy wife and mother, and returned to college at Old Dominion College, using the spouse’s G. I. Bill, after Lewis’ death. She met and married John Uhr, a Naval officer in Norfolk, VA, and added a daughter to her family of two sons. The family retired to Pensacola, FL, in 1972. Billie completed her teaching degree in 1982 and taught at Woodham High School, George Stone Vocational-Technical Center, and PJC/PSC for a total of 30 years. Billie lived most of her adult life in Pensacola, FL, but owned a farm in Thaxton, MS, where she built a vacation home and lake for her family. Eventually she moved back to the farm and attended Philadelphia Baptist Church in Etta, MS. After her two sons’ deaths, she returned to Pensacola to be near her granddaughter, Erin Merkerson. Billie enjoyed fishing in her lake, gardening, and bowling with her retired Navy friends. Besides attending church at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola and Philadelphia Baptist Church, Billie was an active member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Pensacola Historic Preservation Society, and the Escambia Retired Teachers Association. Billie Jean Merkerson was preceded in death by her parents, Bill L. and Violet (Mattie) Towery of the Auburn community; sons Cary L. Merkerson of Thaxton; Craig E. Merkerson of Pensacola; Lewis Merkerson and John Uhr. She is survived by a step-daughter, Vanna McHale and her children Alex and Max; granddaughters Lydia and Eleanor Merkerson of Kansas City, MO; granddaughters Erin Ashley Merkerson of Pensacola and Kayla Brinker. Billie dearly loved her family and friends, whom she considered her extended family. She was especially close to her church family in Mississippi and the members of the Grace Sunday School Class at Olive Baptist Church. The family and friends are grateful for the loving care Billie Jean received from Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Coral Bay Skilled Nursing facility, and Vitas Hospice Care during her final days. She will be greatly missed but will live forever in the hearts of her family and friends. Billie’s cremains will be interred at graveside services on February 7, 2025, in Verona, Miss.

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Billie Jean Merkerson

November 4, 1937 - December 3, 2024