July 12, 1924 - October 30, 2015
Merrill Neeley Sloan Obituary Merrill Neeley Sloan, 91, peacefully passed away on October 30, 2015, in Spokane, WA., in her recent brief residence at WindRiver Place. Mrs. Sloan was born in Denmark, South Carolina, on July 12, 1924, the daughter of Nina Bookhardt (Neeley) and David Edward Neeley. Merrill was lovingly attended by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in her final hours. Merrill was the youngest daughter in a family of eleven. She grew up on the family farm in rural South Carolina and graduated from Denmark-Olar High School a year early due to her exceptionally high grades. She was the only daughter sent to college, financially funded by her loving brothers. After graduating from Columbia College with degrees in English and Drama, Merrill moved to New York City and worked at Radio City Music Hall, but not before she met and fell in love with a handsome Marine fly-boy, Robert Sloan, who was off to war in the Pacific. When he returned, Merrill and Bob married and moved to his hometown in Winfield, Kansas, then to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where he became a stockbroker. In 1969, the family moved to Augusta, Georgia, where Merrill began a career in marketing. Her professional career in Augusta included marketing, promotions, and advertising for Southeastern Builders, the Bon Air Hotel, the Red Cross, Georgia Railroad Bank, The Executive House Augusta Hotel and Convention Center, and opthamologist Dr. Howard Bruckner. After moving to The Renaissance Retirement Community in Atlanta in 2011, Bob and Merrill moved again in 2013 to their final stay in Spokane, WA with their daughter Jane Sloan and her husband John Hancock. She lived at FairWinds Retirement Community for two years. Merrill is survived by four children: Jane Sloan of Spokane, WA; Nancy Burke of Toledo, OH; Jim Sloan of Augusta, GA; and Philip Sloan of Atlanta. She was preceded in death by her devoted and beloved husband, Bob, two years before. Their descendants are 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Her siblings, all of whom helped preserve the family traditions of faith, hospitality, and generosity, were Ed Neeley, Grady Neeley, WalterNeeley, Ted Neeley, and Polly Eubanks, all deceased; and Angelyn Hart, Nina Martin, and Sam Neeley all living in South Carolina. Her lightness of spirit, wisdom, graciousness, and sparkly personality will be missed. Interment will take place at a later date in the Cemetery of Denmark, South Carolina, with services provided by Bethel Park United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions can be made to: Bethel Park United Methodist Church, 25 Beech Ave, Denmark, SC 29042 or Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3185 Wheeler Rd, Augusta, GA 30909 LOVE IS ALL THERE IS � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Merrill, please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events OCT 30