KATHERINE MERDIAN

Mrs. Katherine Merdian, 87, of Richards, passed away Tuesday, March 12, at Scott & White in Bryan, TX. Visitation with family and friends was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 15, at Nobles Funeral Chapel. A celebration of her life was at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at Richards United Methodist Church. The Rev. Floyd Hoke and the Rev. Ben Tibbs were the officiants. Interment followed in the Bays Chapel Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.

Katherine was born Dec. 17, 1931, in Richards, Texas, to Otis and Mary Ollie (Leonard) Turner. A vibrant redhead with a beautiful smile, she was approached at the age of 17 by Pepsi Cola to be their poster child. Her father did not approve. She married Paul Merdian and together they raised two children. Katherine worked in the home, taking care of her family until her husband’s death to cancer in 1981. She then went to work for the Diamond Shamrock Corp and retired 10 years later. Katherine enjoyed cooking, sewing, reading and spending time around those she loved. Her family describes her as one of the most selfless, giving people they had ever known. She doted endlessly on her grandchildren and great grands, entertaining them for hours with stories of her childhood. She had impeccable style and enjoyed shopping for clothes. She was a member of Richards United Methodist Church. Katherine will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.

Katherine is survived by daughter, Brenda Kay Vezorak of Navasota, and son, Otis Wayne Merdian of Richards; granddaughters, Jill Nicole Vezorak and Julie Renee Vezorak; great-grandchildren, Makey Philip Barnett, Cortney Marie Alfaro and Brylee Nicole Barnett; son-in-law, Philip Vezorak; and special friends, Robert “Red” Durham and JoAnn Humphrey.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Paul.

Serving as pallbearers are Robert Durham, Richard Becker, Bobby Moriarity, Philip Vezorak, John Williams and Nathan Boggs. Honorary bearers are Roland Humphrey, Jimmy Kimich and Jay Kott.

You are invited to leave kind words and fond memories at www.noblesfuneral.com.