Raeanna G. Merritt

After a lifetime of travel, teaching, and joyful living, Raeanna Gayle (Garver) Merritt reached her final destination on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at the age of 84 at Bethany Pointe in Anderson. Born to Gayle (Heath) and Ray Garver on October 7, 1941, Raeanna grew up in Spiceland, Indiana. It was here that she first learned the lessons that would guide her journey through life. With her family, she took her first international trip – to Canadian fishing camps. As her father fished, she and Gayle perfected the 2nd lesson, shopping.  

Her 3rd lesson, lifelong learning, began in the small school of Lewisville. She went on to attend Butler University, receiving her bachelor’s degree in history, with a minor in P.E. While there, she sang in the choir and served as President of her dorm. She later received her master’s degree from Ball State University. After a short teaching stint in Indianapolis, she began teaching for the Elwood School System, and thus began a career in the Social Studies department that spanned over 40 years. Generations of students took world history and geography from Raeanna as they learned that life was bigger than Madison County.

It was at Elwood Community High School she met her husband, Richard, and they married on June 15, 1968 at East Main Street Christian Church. The two built a rich life in Elwood, which led to her 4th lesson. She learned the importance of service – giving her time to volunteering at sporting events, selling tickets and cheering on the Panthers, or helping wherever there was a need. She was also a patron of the arts, enjoying theatre, art shows, and musical concerts put on by the school, the community, or on the professional stage. An active member of both the local Lambda chapter and state chapters of Tri Kappa Sorority, her charity work was far reaching.

Above all, there’s the lesson (#5) of travel which encompassed all her lessons. Raeanna loved to travel and share those experiences with others. Whether she was wearing “big city black” when taking in a West End show in London, riding a camel in Cairo, or sampling vegemite in Australia, Raeanna was always ready for adventure. She always said she could be ready to travel anywhere in the world with two hours’ notice, and she proved that on more than one occasion. She visited 5 continents, 49 states, and at least 37 countries with favorites including Aruba, China, Italy, and England. She traveled with school groups, family, friends, and alone letting her curiosity about the world guide her. 

Anyone who knew Raeanna also knew she developed her #1 lesson of being a shopper extraordinaire. She could go into any shop and find the one item that would be perfect for a friend or the wall of her own house. She could close down Harrods and rattle off “do you ship?” in a dozen different languages.

Raeanna made the most of her life in Indiana and she truly wanted others to enjoy the wealth of experiences she enjoyed. Her favorite quote was, “I have not been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” May we all carry on her legacy to finish that list.

Besides a wealth of friends and a multitude of students Raeanna leaves behind a cousin, Dr. Joe (Mavis) Barnett; 2 nephews, Edward (Angie) Alley and Mark (Julie) Merritt; niece, Lisa Holt and her daughter Emily; and their children and grandchildren whom Raeanna considered her charges: Anna (Julie Hughes) Barnett, David (Anna M.) Styers-Barnett, Elizabeth (Matt) Lane, Ryan (David) Alley, Kathryn (Dan) Merritt-Thrasher, Kelly Basch; and Emily, Gillian, Norah, Cam, Beckham, Henry, Lucy, Alexander, and Millie Rae. Raeanna was preceded in death by both her parents; her beloved husband, Richard; and aunt, Winona (Robert) Barnett.

Raeanna's family would like to thank the staff of Bethany Pointe and Paradigm Hospice for the outstanding care they provided for Raeanna in her final years and days.

An upbeat funeral service celebrating Raeanna’s life will be conducted at 3:00 pm on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Roger Gardner officiating. A Tri-Kappa memorial ritual will start the funeral.  Burial will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery.  Per Raeanna’s wishes, following the funeral and burial, all are invited to East Main Street Christian Church where food, stories, and celebrations will be shared by all.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1 to 3 pm prior to the funeral on Thursday at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Elwood Education Foundation, c/o Madison Co. Community Foundation – 911 Meridian Street, Anderson, IN 46016, or through the funeral home. Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.