Janet Deuell Merritt passed away peacefully on July 14, 2024. She was born August 10, 1930, in Poughkeepsie, New York to the late Francis Paul and Julia V. Deuell. She was a member of Rockland Methodist Church. She was a retired teacher with most of those teaching years at Murphy Candler Elementary School. She always had a smile on her face and saw the best in everyone she met. She enjoyed gardening and playing cards until her eyesight started failing her. She found the most joy in life spending time with her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, sister Sue Yeomans, son-in laws Jim Strickland and Ed Blackburn, and grandson Terry Merritt. She is survived by her children Jeff (Brenda) Merritt of Lithonia, Debbie Strickland of Covington, and Pam McCoy of Montana, her grandchildren Kelly (Jenny) Martin, Ginger Merritt, Amanda Strickland, Renae' Strickland and Morgan (Jacob) Pope, great grandchildren Alisha (Lance) Carmichael, Kevin Anderson, Abigail Martin, Skylar Bryant, Gabrielle Merritt, Malachi Terrell, Jasper Martin, Ryan Clarke, Barrett Clarke, Asher Pope, great-great grandchildren Colson and Rhett Carmichael, dear friend Beth Abbott and a host of nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held 11 o'clock, Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Rockland Methodist Church in Lithonia. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service from 10-11 at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the National Federation of the Blind Georgia, 1696 W. Caribaea Trail S.E., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.nfbga.org, in memory of Janet.