Merriam V Brooker

Merriam Vera Simmons Brooker went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, April 18, 2022. Merriam was born in Jacksonville, Florida on November 21, 1936. She grew up in Green Cove Springs, Florida on a dairy farm, which was founded by her parents, William Paul and Winifred Simmons.

 

She went to Ketterlinus High School in St. Augustine. She participated in 4H club and was the Florida State Dairy Queen.

 

Merriam then went on to University of Florida where she would meet the love of her life, Robert Brooker. They met in church and married on August 30, 1958. Robert and Merriam lived an exciting and adventurous life together. They lived in many different places due to Robert being a pilot in the US Air Force then eventually with Pan American. They lived in Big Spring TX, Jacksonville FL, Charleston SC, Honolulu HI, Hong Kong, then finally settling in Plantation Florida where they remained since 1968. They had three children; Laura, Robert and Audrey.

 

Robert and Merriam were active members of the Andrew’s Avenue Church of Christ, then West Broward Church of Christ. Merriam was also a member of a local sorority, the Xi Zeta Nu chapter of Beta Sigma Phi where she participated in many civic projects benefiting the City of Plantation. She was also a member of The Garden Club.

 

Merriam was a gracious hostess to many parties at their home and at the church. She was the most loving and nurturing mother to her children. And she was a loving and adoring wife to Robert. They loved traveling the world together, Gator Football, and spending time with all their children and precious seven grandchildren.

 

She is survived by her three children, Laura Uebelein (Kevin) of Edmonton, Alberta Canada, Robert Brooker (Marie) of New Braunfels, TX and Audrey Rowland (Joey) of Fort Mill, SC; seven grandchildren: Layton, Daniel, Sara, Sterling, Andrew, William Christian and Samuel. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert Brooker, her parents William Paul and Winifred Simmons, her brother Steve Simmons and sister Beverly Griner.