Katherine Joyce Merritt

Katherine Joyce Merritt, 76, of Hot Springs, Arkansas departed this life on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was born on December 4, 1949, in Etowah, Arkansas to William Henry and Vivie Victoria Chambers Adams. Katherine was an avid animal lover, loved her family, was all about her kids and grandkids and she enjoyed working at American Greetings.

She is preceded in death by her husband: Chester Merritt Jr., parents: William and Vivie Adams and one brother: Wilburn Adams.

Katherine is survived by two sons: Chester Dewayne Merritt Jr. of Etowah and James Wesley Merritt (Alice) of Etowah, six daughters: Katrina Jo Peyton (Mark Hardin) of Keiser, Amy Lynn Truelove (Braden) of Hot Springs, Christina Beth Jacobs of Roachdale, Indiana, Kimberly Joyce Davis of Conway, Rebecca Dawn Langston (Brandon) of Manila and Rachael Diane Merritt of Arkadelphia, two brothers: Donald Adams of Springfield, Missouri and Leedoyle Adams (Sheila) of Lacon, Illinois, one sister: JoAnn Stacks of Jonesboro, sixteen grandchildren: Jessica, Hailey (Jordan), Michael, Chase, Courtney (Vlad), Heather (Landon), Lane, Wesley, Kaitlynn, Kylie, Hayden, Caden, Barrett, Adeline, Jacob and Eli, eight great grandchildren: Braxton, Grayson, Keegan, Kinley, Abel, Blakelyn, Kash and Bryar, several nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.

The family would like to give a special thank you to The Springs of Park Avenue Health and Rehabilitation for taking wonderful care of their mom.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. at Delancey Funeral Home in Lepanto.

Funeral service will be held Friday, October 23, 2026, at 10:00a.m. at Delancey Funeral Home in Lepanto.

Interment will follow at Potter Memorial Cemetery in Lepanto.

Arrangements are under the care of Delancey Funeral Home.