Mary Lidella Cain Merritt, daughter of James William and Helen Higginbotham Cain, was born on November 29, 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri. She departed this life on Friday, April 3, 2015, at the Brookdale Assisted Living in Knoxville, Tennessee, at the age 91 years, 4 months and 4 days.

She lived in Kennett, Missouri where she was a longtime teacher. Mary Dell was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Kennett and was active in Girl Scouting for many years. She was also a member of Chalk Bluff chapter of DAR.

Mary was united in marriage to Elman McCutchen Merritt in Campbell, Missouri. He preceded her in death on December 2, 1980.

Her survivors include 4 Daughters: Dorothy Helen Leist and husband, James of Charlotte, North Carolina Nancy Bess Schanda and husband, Hammons of Forsyth, Missouri Mary Martha Fine of Knoxville, Tennessee Ann McCutchen Polsgrove and husband, Kent of Dexter, Missouri.

7 Grandchildren: Nancy Leist Atwell, Mary Helen Schanda Snider, Ann Mary Leist, Amanda Schanda Harris, Elizabeth Schanda Newberry, Sarah Polsgrove Jarrell and Martha Polsgrove Kolker

10 Great-Grandchildren: Caroline, James and William Atwell, Samuel and Benjamin Snider, Owen and Katelynn Harris, Keara Huson and Walker and Weston Jarrell

She was preceded in death by her parents, James William and Helen Higginbotham Cain; husband, Elman McCutchen Merritt; son-in-law, David Fine and her sister, Dorothy Cain Miller.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 10 A.M. at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Campbell, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Elman McCutchen Merritt Scholarship Fund to benefit graduates of Campbell High School in Campbell, Missouri. The memorials may be sent to East Tennessee Foundation, 625 Market Street, Knoxville, Tennesse 37902.