Helen “Jo” Merriman (’86)

Helen “Jo” Merriman, 75, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2020 at her home in White Oak. A Celebration of Jo’s Life will be held 2 pm Monday, June 22, 2020 at Lakeview Funeral Home. Visitation will be 4-6 pm Sunday, June 21, 2020 at Lakeview Funeral Home. Interment will be in Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Jo was born January 12, 1945 in Deer Park, Texas to O.O. and Mary Merriman. She graduated from Vidor High School Class of 1963 in Vidor, Texas and went on to get her Bachelor of Science degree in teaching from the University of Houston. Upon moving to the East Texas area, she worked for ECI (Early Childhood Intervention). She taught within the Longview ISD for 22 years as a Special Education/ Life Skills teacher before retiring in June of 2018. Jo will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Jo is preceded in death by her parents; and a son, Christopher Lynn Beason. She is survived by her sons, Bart Beason (Pam) of Bentonville, AR and Joel Beason of White Oak, TX; granddaughters, Alicia Beason Bloomer, KiKi Preston Page, Kelsey Hayes, Kristina Beason, Katie Cowgill, Gabby Beason, Deanna Beason, Courtny Beason, and Savanna Beason; grandsons, B.J. Beason, William Beason, Thomas, Thomas Beason, Ryan Cowgill, J.T. Cowgill, and Jacob Preston; great grandsons, Joseph Beason, Landon Bradshaw, River Hays, and Landen Cowgill; great granddaughters, Maci Cowgill and Brinley Beason; brother, David Merriman (Kay) of Longview, TX; and numerous other family members and friends who loved her dearly. Pallbearers will be Bart Beason, Joel Beason, B.J. Beason, Mason Colvin, Ryan Cowgill, Thomas Beason, William Beason, and Joseph Beason. Honorary Pallbearers will be Casey Yount, J.T. Cowgill, and David Merriman. In Lieu of flowers please donate to the American Cancer Society or Special Needs Educational Programs in Longview, TX via LISD.

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