ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My Granddaughter The Family of Constance Mignon Dixon Merritt deeply I thought of you today, but that is nothing new. appreciate all acts of kindness and expressions of love extended I thought about you yesterday and the days before that too.
towards us. We have received strength from your prayers, I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and your many pictures in frames unselfish generosity, comfort and company. We are sincerely Your memory is a keepsake from which I’ll never part. grateful for your soothing sentiments, genuine gifts of love and God has you in his arms, I have you in my heart. also for nourishing our bodies. A special thanks to the doctors ~Your Grandmother ~
and nursing staff of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), University of Mississippi Medical Pavilion of Jackson, In loving memory of our Special Niece MS, Fresenius Medical Care of Canton, MS. We earnestly thank God for each of you and we pray God’s love, comfort, peace and The day you left and gained your wings My heart just broke in two favor is forever present in your lives. I wish you could have stayed with us But Heaven needed you most ~THE FAMILY~ You left us with memories And we love you dearly still
HONARARY PALLBEARERS No matter how much time goes by You know we always will Rev. Willie Richardson, Sr. | Thomas Smith Tony Willridge | Shelby Merritt, Sr. You were a very special person Wallace Taylor | Larry Lee, Sr. With kindness in your heart And the love we had together Grows stronger now we’re apart ACTIVE PALLBEARERS We know we cannot bring you back Mario Merritt | Adam McClenty Although we wish it everyday Donald Nunnery| Shelby Merritt, Jr. But a piece of us went with you Keldrick Richardson | Gabriel Dixon The day you went away Jonathan Dixon| Brannon Ingram ~ Your Aunts and Uncles~
FLOWER BEARERS Cousins of Constance Mignon Dixon Merritt Weep Not for Me Madison Central High School Class Of 1988 Weep not for me though I have gone Into that gentle night
Grieve if you will, but not for long REPAST Upon my soul’s sweet flight Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church I am at peace, my soul’s at rest There is no need for tears 951 Hwy 433 - Bentonia, MS 39040 For with your love I was so blessed For all those many years INTERMENT There is no pain, I suffer not For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery The fear is now all gone course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Put now these things out of your thoughts judge, shall give me at that day: ~ II Timothy 4:6-8a In your memory I live on Services Entrusted To: Remember not my fight for breath Saturday, December 7, 2019 - 11:00 A.M. Shaffer-Collins Funeral Home Remember not the strife
“Our Family Serving Our Community” Please do not dwell upon my death Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church 247 West Sixth Street - Yazoo City, MS 39194 But celebrate my life 951 Hwy 433 Bentonia, Mississippi 39040 (662) 746-3985 ~ Your loving Cousins
Rev. Charles I. Bradley, Officiating Pastor
Constance Mignon Dixon Merritt Order of Service Tributes
If Roses Grew in Heaven PROGRAM GUIDE If roses grow in Heaven
Dr. Hurtestine Wilkerson Lord, please pick a bunch for us.
Place them in Constance’s arms And tell her they’re from us. ~A TIME TO BE BORN~ Constance Mignon Dixon Merritt, the only of Mack K. and Gaye D. Merritt, was born July 25, 1988, in Jackson, MS. Tell Constance we love her PRELUDE And miss her so much, ~A TIME TO SURRENDER TO CHRIST ~ Soft Music And when she turns to smile,
At an early age Constance knew the importance of giving thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She joined the Pleasant Grove Place a kiss upon her cheek Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Charles I. Bradley. Constance grew up in a Christian home where she was PROCESSIONAL And hold her for a while. taught the importance of prayer, fastening, and to give thanks in all things. Constance made these traits a part of her daily life. Clergy & Family Because remembering Constance is easy
We do it every day, ~A TIME TO BE EDUCATED~ HYMN But oh, there is an ache within our hearts, Constance began her educational journey at Smith Chapel Head Start, upon completion of the Headstart program, she moved on to East Deacon Miller Johnson That will NEVER go away! Flora Elementary School/Middle School, from there on to Madison Central High School where she graduated in 2006. On May 8, 2010, ~Your Mom and Dad~ Constance received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. On August 8, 2013, she received her master’s SCRIPTURE READING Gaye Denise and Mack K. Merritt degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). It was a personal dream of Constance to become an OLD TESTAMENT | Pastor Edwin Bryan Mullen Occupational Therapist, but God had a different path for her to follow. This path for Constance was guided by God, but also placed in NEW TESTAMENT | Deacon Warren Mason her heart through her favorite scripture…Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” PRAYER
~A TIME TO LOVE ~ Pastor Willie Richardson. Sr. Constance never met a stranger. She would make a friend everywhere she went. Constance had 5 god children Jordan McCullough, SONG | TRIO Aiden McCullough, Alexandria, Jamison and Joy Linda Carson. There was something different about her relationship with Joy Linda. Emanuel McClenty Constance loved Joy just like a mother would love, care for, nurture and provide for her very own child. Constance had a special bond Preston McClenty I Never Said Goodbye with each of these children and many others. She had a very special relationship with Logan Hollins, Denver Haralson, Keyvontae Paige McClenty Brown I never got the chance to say I love you, Berry, Braxton Merritt, Zander Henderson, Jaiden Johnson, Dakota Haralson, Kyce Merritt, Dallas Haralson and Joy Linda Carson. I never got the chance to say I’ll miss you. She gave them life lessons, scolded them when they were wrong, celebrated with them on their accomplishments, encouraged them to press WORDS OF COMFORT Nobody told me that you were going away, harder, and wouldn’t allow them to settle for mediocrity. She never missed a birthday or any major celebration. Pastor Roosevelt Barrett It hurts, I never said GOOD-BYE.
~A TIME TO WORK~ I know you in Heaven but please talk to me, SPECIAL PRESENTATION Constance was currently employed with Acura of Jackson. She was also a substitute teacher for the Madison County School District. Madison Central High School - Class of 2006 Show yourself and let me see.
I know that can’t happen no matter how much I try. ~A TIME TO MOURN~ All I wanted to do is say GOOD-BYE. Our sweet dear daughter, niece, god mother, god sister, cousin and friend, departed this life on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at the RESOLUTION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I know you are happy where you are, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in Birmingham, Alabama with her mother by her side. Constance was not just a fighter, Dr. Hurtestine Wilkerson I carry you in my heart, no matter how far. but a warrior, she fought with everything in her and she fought until the very end. Constance is preceded in death by her paternal To the heavens above, I wish I could fly, grandparents: Spillar and Hilda Mae Merritt; maternal grandfather: Grady Lee Dixon, Sr.; uncles: Nathaniel (Nate) Dixon and Grady SONG | TRIO Only to give you a big hug and warm kiss GOOD-BYE. Lee Dixon, Jr., and cousin: Cedric Darnell Anthony (son of Grady Lee Dixon, Jr.). Emanuel McClenty ~A TIME TO CHERISH~ Preston McClenty I will remember you each day that I live. Paige McClenty Brown You were such a good person with so much to give Constance leave to cherish her loving memories: her loving and devoted parents: Mack K. and Gaye D. Merritt of Flora, MS; one Such a privilege to have known you, no one can deny. grandmother: Ms. Eddie Mae Dixon of Flora, MS; one uncle: Shelby (Florence) Merritt, Sr. of Flora, MS; nine aunts: Bertha Davis of EULOGY I will keep with me the good times we shared, Chicago, IL, Peggie A. Ingram, Michelle (Willie) Richardson, both of Flora, MS, Brenda Dixon, Janice (Thomas) Smith, Debra Pastor Charles I. Bradley McClenty, all of Jackson, MS, Sherry (Wallace) Taylor of Flora, MS, Peggy Nunnery of Jackson, MS and her mother’s twin sister Gail I want you to know just how much I really cared. Till we meet again baby girl, on God we must rely, (Anthony) Willridge of Brandon MS; five god-children; two special aunts: Mozell Burks of Flora, MS and Deotis Jenkins of Jackson, RECESSIONAL I love you; I miss you, and for now, GOOD-BYE MS; and a host of cousins, relatives and friends. Funeral Directors in Charge ~I’ll Love you forever, your Big Bro Mario~