Alva “Jean” Merritt

Alva Jean Johnson Merritt of Sapulpa, OK went to be with the Lord on September 21st, 2022 at the age of 97.

Alva (she preferred to be called Jean or A.J.) was born October 13, 1924, in Bessie, OK to Menno and Mina Johnson. She was the youngest child of seven children. Her mother Mina passed away when Alva Jean was still a baby. Due to the large number of siblings, Jean was raised by her aunt Mollie and Robert King.

She married Billy Dean Merritt from Elk City and together they raised three children, Billie Jean, Cheryl Ann, and Lonnie Kent Merritt. They divorced in 1969 and Jean moved to Tulsa, OK where she worked various jobs for several years before deciding to acquire a real estate license. She became a very successful realtor for several years. She moved to Sapulpa in 2004 and lived in the infamous Berryhill building for several years before moving in with her daughter and longtime Sapulpa resident Cheryl Underwood-Lauder.
She remained in Sapulpa until her passing.

Jean battled and overcame breast cancer in 1970. She spent the next 50+ years as a very active person who loved participating in dancing classes as well as discovering a real talent for watercolor painting. She was a strong Christian and relied heavily on the Lord throughout many trials and tough times.

Jean is survived by her daughter Cheryl Underwood-Lauder of Weatherford, OK, her son Kent Merritt of Sapulpa, OK, two grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.