Merle Laverne Secrest

Funeral services for Merle Laverne Secrest, 90, of Gainesville, are set for 2:30 PM Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home with Rev. Duke Dowling officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview cemetery under the direction of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home. A visitation will be held Saturday at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.

Merle was born on September 4, 1924 in Tioga to Earl Laverne and Opal Lucetta (Hopkins) Secrest. He passed away on Novermber 12, 2014 in Gainesville.

He retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after 38 years of service. He married Betty Mangum on June 7, 1949. To this union, they were blessed with five children. He was a faithful member of Southside Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Secrest of Gainesville; daughter Verna Worthey and her husband Junior of Celina; daughter Penny Secrest of Gainesville; son Doug Secrest and his wife Judy of Lindsay; son Lanny Secrest of Gainesville; daughter-in-law Lynette Pettigrew and her husband Don of Gainesville; ten grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sister Georgia Yarbough of Pilot Point; sister Carole Hickman of Alvarado; sister-in-law Minnie Jo Secrest of Keller; sister-in-law Neva Secrest of Lewisville; sister-in-law Willene Tucker of Collinsville; sister-in-law Belinda Kays of Collinsville; sister-in-law Janice Lindsey of Tioga; sister-in-law Myrt Mitchell of Tioga; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son Aubrey Earl "Buck" Secrest; sister Naomi Wilson; sister Janie Neill; brother Mansel Secrest; brother Truman Secrest; brother Jimmy Secrest; and brother Mack Secrest.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons, Clint Worthey, Ryan Worthey, Cody Secrest, Keylan Basham, Damon Gregg, and Cal Gregg. Honorary pallbearer will be Caden Worthey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Home Hospice of Cooke County PO Box 936 Gainesville, TX 76241.

Merle will be remembered as the most wonderful and Godly husband, father, son, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be missed so much.

You may sign the online registry at www.geojcarroll.com.