Mary Julia (Groce) Merrifield, 97, of Richmond, passed away Saturday, January 25, 2025, at John Knoxx Village in Higginsville.

Mary was born on January 9, 1928, in Richmond, and had lived there her entire life.  She was married to Charles W Merrifield on July 27, 1952.  They lived in the Richmond area, where they were engaged in farming with Charles' father.

Mary graduated from Central Methodist College with majors in Mathematics and English with a Bachelor of Arts degree.  She taught in the Jameson High School, Lexington High School, and Richmond High School.  She retired from Richmond High School after teaching there for 21 years.  She later worked for the Internal Revenue Service for 15 years, retiring in 1999.

She was a member of the Richmond United Methodist Church, serving as Lay Delegate to Annual Conference for over 20 years.  She was a member of the Conference Board of Pensions, Conference Commission on Equitable Salaries, and a member of the District Board of Trustees for many years.  She was a member of the Social Concerns Circle, Past President of United Methodist Women, President of the Ray County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, member of Ray County Retired Teachers Association, National Association of Retired Federal Workers, Daughters of the American Revolution, serving 6 years as Regent, member of American Lung Association of University Women, and charter member of Kappa Mu Epsilon Chapter at Central Methodist College.  She served on the board of the American Lung Association of Western Missouri for many years.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Krista and Dale Salyer of Odessa, MO, and her son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Ann Merrifield of Columbia, MO.  She was especially proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her grandchildren: John Charles (Shellie) Riling of Independence, MO, Benjamin Hamrah of Columbia, MO, Daniel John Merrifield of Cleveland, OH, and Sarah Ann (Jack) Maguigad of St. Louis, MO.  Her great-grandchildren: Caleb Charles Riling, Cadyn Lewis Riling, and Colton Andrew Riling, all of Independence, MO.  She is survived by her great-great-grandchildren: Beckett Riling, Ramona Riling, and Ivy Riling.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her grandson, Andrew Bradley Salyer.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Richmond United Methodist Church, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri, OR PASS (Providing Academic Support for Success).  They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.

Visitation with funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the Richmond United Methodist Church, with visitation beginning at 12:00 P.M., with services to follow at 1:00 P.M.  Interment will be held in Richmond Memory Gardens.  Please remember to share your memories of Mary with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.