Lovina "Cricket" Sales Merrill

ASHEVILLE – Lovina “Cricket” Sales Merrill, age 97, of Asheville, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

Mrs. Merrill was born on September 17, 1927, in Buncombe County where she had live all of her life. She was a member of Grassy Branch Baptist Church since 1951 and taught Sunday School Class for 5 and 6 year olds for 36 years. Cricket enjoyed gardening and canning.

She was the daughter of the late Rev. Gary M. Sales and the late Hester Earwood Sales and wife of the late Alvis Jacob Merrill who died in 2021. She was also preceded in death by sisters, Irene Johnson, Evelyn Keever, Mildred Wright, and Garylee Goldsmith; and brother, Gary Sales, Jr.

Surviving are her sons, Dale C. Merrill and wife Helen, and Dana Alvis Merrill and wife Sherry; grandchildren, Kristen Bissett, Kevin Alvis Merrill, and Peyton Boyles and husband Zach, and Patterson Revis and husband Kevin; and great grandchildren, Jacob, Bailey, Tanner, Miller, Chapman, and Madilyn.

Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 10, 2025, in Grassy Branch Baptist Church, 499 Riceville Rd., Asheville, NC 28803, with Speaker Colton Ingle and Rev. Dr. Kathryn Johnson Cameron officiating. The family will greet friends following the service.

A private burial will be in Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

Due to Crickets love of all flowers, they are welcome.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Mrs. Merrill’s family. Condolences may be offered to the family under her obituary at www.westfamilyfuneralservices.com.