Merri Lou Davis put off her tabernacle as the Lord Jesus Christ shewed her on January 19, 2025, fittingly on a Sunday morning. She will be greatly missed by those that knew and loved her. The service will be at First Baptist Church Dalhart at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2025, with burial following at Memorial Park Cemetery. Merri will be in state Wednesday, 12:00 Noon to 8:00 PM at Horizon Funeral Home, 701 Elm Avenue (the corner of Elm and 7th).

Merri was born to Foster L. and Frieda A. Jolley on April 24, 1936, in Dalhart. She attended Dalhart High School where she graduated in 1954. Her senior year at DHS she was voted most popular, most likely to succeed and one of nine outstanding students. She was excellent at sports and one of her fondest memories was playing basketball for the Wolverines. After high school she attended Baylor University for a year before returning to Dalhart to start her family. On June 17, 1956, Merri married Jacky Joe Matthews. Jacky Joe and Merri Lou have three children, Mary Jo, Jim Bob, and Todd William; their home was full of fun memories. On December 27, 1968, Jacky Joe passed away. God's word says that he will be a father to the fatherless, and He faithfully fulfilled the promise. He guided and strengthened Merri to become a most amazingly loving, encouraging, wise and fun mom. Her three children believe they could not have asked for a better mom.

In 1969 Merri began working as the secretary to the principal of Dalhart High School, she loved the students and teachers. In 1975 the school annual staff dedicated the Lone Wolf annual to Merri for being a "friend, helper, listener and problem solver for the student body and faculty. She has earned the respect, friendship, and love of everyone in Dalhart schools, with her cheerful personality, her willingness and ability to help inside and outside of school. Also, in the mid seventy's Merri formed a nondenominational youth group at the First Christian Church in Dalhart named HIS Gang. At times, the group would have around one hundred junior high and high school students in attendance.

On February 27, 1977, Merri married Doug Davis; his two children are Melissa Elliott and Bryan Davis. Merri and Doug moved to Oklahoma City in 1979 with Doug's job in the meat packing industry. They later moved to Tulsa, Ok and Joplin, Mo. Merri and Doug were able to go on a number of trips over the years with his job and played golf at some of the top golf courses across the country. They both really enjoyed playing golf and making friends while playing golf at the different courses.

In 1995 they moved back to Dalhart and again became members of the First Baptist Church. They helped in the church kitchen during Wednesday night youth for a number of years. She was instrumental in starting JOY (Just older Youth) at First Baptist Church which was a nondenominational group for senior adults which provided them a time and place to meet and enjoy each other's company.

Merri was welcomed into Heaven by her parents Foster and Frieda Jolley, her late husband Jacky Joe Matthews, her late father-in law, and late mother-in-law T.W. "Dub" Matthews and Wyoma "Cricket" Matthews, her brother Gene Jolley, and her grandson Colt Cluck.

Surviving family members include her husband, Doug Davis. Her three beloved children are Mary Howell, Jim Bob (Sharon) Matthews, and Todd Matthews. Her grandchildren Kaysha Sparling, Kallie (Jeff) Hauschild, Stephanie (Ty) Ellis, Jacob (Amanda) Van Pelt, Jared (Adriene) Van Pelt, Joebe (Jessica) Matthews, and Jacky Joe (Avonley) Matthews. Merri has been blessed with thirteen great- grandchildren.

Donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 1000 E 16th St., Dalhart, TX 79022, or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.horizonfuneral.com.