Teresa (Terri) Merritt Peaker

Teresa Darlene Merritt was born in Shreveport, Louisiana at the P&S Hospital August 26, 1961, and left this earthly home to go to her eternal home on December 14, 2022, in Minden, Louisiana. Jesus and all of her family and friends are waiting with outstretched arms to walk on the streets of gold and abide with joy, happiness, and no more pain. Her mother and father David Wayne Merritt and Marlin Estelle Milner Merritt were blessed to welcome their first-born child into this world. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved the Lord all her heart, mind, and soul. She loved sharing her testimony of the Gospel with family and friends. She loved all her Church Family, and they all loved her. She loved, adored, and cherished her family. She never failed to express to her mother and daddy, husband, and four daughters and son how much she loved and cherished each one of them and they also did the same. Throughout her illnesses and pain, they were there to love, honor, and care for her. She was so much fun to be around, always laughing and clowning around with everyone. She had a witty sense of humor and infectious laugh, which made everyone join in.  She was kind, compassionate, and willing to help anyone in need and willing to share with others. She loved her grandchildren, and they loved their Mamaw. She played games and did fun crafts with them. She loved to grow flowers and vegetables, make flower arrangements, feed the birds, and take care of her animals, her constant companions who never wanted to leave her side. She graduated from Minden High School and was a majorette.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her parents, David and Marlin Merritt; husband, Scott Brown-Peaker; daughters; Milly Melissa Gutierrez, (Juan), Sarabeth Beason (Troy) of Camden AR, Hillary Butler of Sibley, and Emily Marie Butler; son, Micah Crain Brown- Peaker; brothers, Mark Dwayne Merritt (Rema) of Drasco, AR, and Kirk Bradley Merritt of Marion, AR; and grandchildren. Bradley and Kaylee Adams, Leia Perez, Matthew Gutierrez, Lizzy, Hannah, and Bella Rose Beason, Malachi and Makel West-Butler, Landon, Austin David Jr. and Addaline, and wonderful aunts, Madaline Coker and Sarah Leftwich, uncles, nieces, nephews, and a very special cousin, Debra (Debbi-Doo) Shores. 

Preceded in death by her grandparents, William Hortman and Gladys Estelle Calhoun Milner and Milly and Carl Maxey; twin grandsons, Jayden and Braydon West-Butler.

Funeral services celebrating her life will be held Monday, December 19, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel in Minden, Louisiana with Rev. Robert Goletz officiating.  Interment will follow at Gardens of Memory in Minden, Louisiana. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 18, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden.

We express our love and appreciation to her beloved and special Aunt Carolyn Sawyer, who was always there for her all the time and Terri always referred to her to everyone as her biggest advocate. Terri always said, “Aunt Carolyn, what would I do without you” and Carolyn would say the same thing to her. They had a bond that could never be broken.  Her friend, Sandra Strickland was a dear and faithful friend who loved her unconditionally and was true and loyal until the end. Their love for each other will go on forever. Her next-door neighbor, Jennifer Simmons, was there for her at any time, they had a wonderful friendship and Jennifer made sure her little cat was taken care of.  Love was there between them at all times. Kim Sparish and Terri were like sisters, and they were sisters in Christ. We will always remember the never-ending love and devotion and inspiration and encouragement she gave to Terri. Thank you, Kim, for helping her through her times of need from the bottom of our hearts.