Lillian Thomas Merrick

Lillian Thomas Merrick died Saturday February 12, 2000 at Magnolia Hall. She was 99. Born October 20, 1900 in Crumpton, Md. she was the daughter of the late Lida Benson and E. John Merrick. Miss Merrick was in the second graduation class of Sudlersville High School in 1917. She graduated from Western Maryland College in 1921. She began her teaching career in Church Hill High School. Thus began 50 years of teaching in Maryland and Middletown, Delaware schools. She received her Masters degree from the University of Delaware. Miss Merrick was active in each of the communities in which she lived. She belonged to the Women’s Club of Cecil County, was the longest member of the Calvary-Asbury United Methodist Church in Sudlersville, having joined the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church South in 1912, which later merged with Calvary-Asbury Church. She had been president of the Board of the Sudlersville Memorial Library. She was president of the Sudlersville Community Betterment Club for several terms totaling 11 years. During her tenure, the old Sudlersville Train Station was restored to become the Sudlersville Train Station Museum. This houses a collection of Sudlersville memorabilia. Her work received state-wide recognition by the Maryland Historical Trust. Also during her time as president, the Sudlersville Community Betterment Club sponsored the first Sudlersville Day in 1976. Miss Merrick was named Queen Anne’s County Citizen of the year in 1981.She was known as an avid bridge player, a local historian and a traveler. Miss Merrick was preceded in death by her two sisters Eva Merrick and Fannie B. Merrick and her brother, E. John Merrick Jr. Mrs. Merrick is survived by numerous cousins, including James B. and Marjorie M. Clements of Seaford, De, who assisted her as needed during her last 12 years. Arrangements will be handled by the Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home in Millington. Services will be held on Tuesday February 15 at 2:00 pm at the Calvary Asbury United Methodist Church in Sudlersville, Md. Friends may call 1 hour prior. In Lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Sudlersville Train Station Museum, P.O. Box 2 , Sudlersville, Md. or the Sudlersville Memorial Library, P.O. Box 112, Sudlersville, Md. 21668.