Ossie Lee Merida

Ossie Lee Merida

Mr. Ossie Lee “Red” Merida was born in Frankville to the late Judge and Lora Merida on Jan. 10, 1934. He departed this life Sept. 19, 2021 at Jackson Health Care in Jackson.

At a young age, Ossie joined Mt. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Frankville. He confessed Christ at a later age and united with True Light Missionary Baptist Church in Koenton, where he served faithfully as a trustee and diligently loved doing for the church until his health failed.

Ossie was united in holy matrimony to Mildred Simon Merida on May 4, 2006 and was married for 15 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and cooking. He was loved by many and had a passion for helping others. 

A logger for some years prior to moving to Galveston, Texas in the 1950s, he was employed at Maritine, I.L.A., as a longshoreman for more than 30 years, from which he retired. Ossie moved back to Frankville, where he spent his time enjoying his family and friends.

On May 26, 2021, he was placed temporarily for six months as a resident at Jackson Health Care in Jackson. During that time, he was called home.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a daughter, Diane Merida Callis; a son, McArthur Whitely; brother, Freddie Merida; sister, Artherine W. Sashinger; father-in-law, Shedrick Simon; and sister-in-law, Yvonne Ware.

Ossie leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted wife, Mildred Merida of Frankville; five children, John Wayne Walker of Leroy, Kevin Butler, Mack Merida, Loneashia Merida and Ameashia Merida, all of Texas; mother-in-law, Hettie M. Simon of Hitchcock, Texas; four sisters-in-law, Nora Lee Merida of La Marque, Texas, Aileen (Thomas) Saunders of Clear Lake, Texas,  Claudia Duran of Hitchcock, Texas, and Beverly Augustine of Marksville, LA ; one brother-in-law, Edward (Kristi) Simon of League City, Texas; a dedicated cousin, Kendrick Boman; with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other cousins, previous sister and brothers-in-law and friends.

Viewing will be Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m., at True Light Missionary Baptist Church of Koenton, followed by a graveside service  at 11 a.m. in True Light Memorial Garden, with the Rev. David L. Edwards, pastor, as eulogist.

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