Staff Writer| Augusta Chronicle
Dear Editor:
A life too soon gone but lived to the fullest. The peak of her life began just over a year ago as God led Merita and Daniel together.
On Sept. 29, 2018 they vowed to share life’s joys and sorrows together never knowing we’d face this sorrow so soon. They brought joy to each other’s lives as they began their journey together. Family was precious to Merita. She accepted Daniel’s family as her own in her kind loving way.
As her parents, Mary and I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter. We vacationed together, she led us on all kinds of adventures. Mary helped her move to Chino Valley to teach school and oh the fun they had. We helped her shop for apartments in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her and mom spent lots of time together being there for one another. Mom cooking meals and Merita entertaining mom. I followed her for a visit to Haiti over Christmas in 2014 where she shared her joy and faith with the sweet orphan children. She had a very giving heart. Merita befriended her Haiti coworkers loving them as family.
As a young girl she worked in the family business Jays Hardware filling many roles but especially providing excellent customer service. As a waitress at the Dutch House she brightened many a life. After working in a chocolate shop in Prescott, Arizona she learned how to make beautiful and delicious gourmet chocolates. She and I would set up a table in Augusta, I dressed in suit and top hat directing people to her as she sold them chocolates.
At 17 years old she opened Floral Designs by Merita first in her bedroom then later in a corner of the hardware store. Designer unique arrangements was her passion. I remember one in a high heel shoe that I laughed at, until she sold it right away.
While she enjoyed all these careers she had a desire to help others which led her to take therapeutic massage training. As usual she poured her all into massage. I wasn’t happy at first not knowing how she’d help many people. I’d ask who did you work on today for she’d start rattling off what part of the body had an issue in clinical terms, then tell me she didn’t know their name! She followed her dream to Scottsdale and opened La Aloha Spa. The going was very tough for a couple of years. She worked three jobs at this to make ends meet while getting her clientele established. The jobs included working for Amazon, Uber and a special needs home. Then along came Daniel! She gladly pulled up all and moved her spa to Alamosa, she was busy again.
Daniel brought a joy to her life she’d never known before. They were profoundly happy together. Now as she anticipated motherhood she exuded her typical radiance of joy. Only a day before her passing she received baby gifts and you could tell she was so excited. Merita and Sawyer Diesel will walk Heaven together.
At 11 years old Merita took Jesus to be her Savior and friend. She was not perfect tho she longed to be.
Through the struggles she found the grace to turn back to God in humility. Her well worn Bible and devotional trail walk assures us of her connection to God. Most of all the love of God was shown through her daily work.
Merita leaves behind her heart broken husband Daniel Johnson. Passing with her is their unborn son Sawyer Diesel Johnson, only two months before his much anticipated arrival. She is also survived by devastated parents Jay and Mary Bullock of Wrens; her loving brothers and their families Jeremy and Heidi, Makenzie, Kelly, Dillan and Hudson of Pryor, Ok; Preston and Carol, Titus, Alexia and Liam of Chico, Ca; two friends she called sisters JoAnna Klassen Steinbach of Manitoba, Canada and Carolyn Blackmon of Scottsdale, Az. Feeling the tremendous loss with us are her new parents Richard and Janette Johnson of Brookesville, MS; brother-in-law Nathan of Finger Lakes, NY and sisterin-law Jennifer of Brooksville, MS; Grandparents Andy and Brenda Isaac of Mitchell, Chester and Katy Powell of Waynesboro, Daniel’s Grandmothers Carol Johnson of Macon, MS and Frances Johnson of Brooksville, MS; a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved her dearly and she loved them.
She is preceded in death by Grandfather Jerry Bullock and Grandmother Alice Powell.
Jay Bullock,
Wrens
