Florence Lena Merz Michel

Graveside services for Mrs. Michel will take place Thursday, January 4, 2017, at Magnolia Cemetery immediately following a visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.

Florence Lena Merz Michel, age 98, passed away Friday, December 22, 2017, in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

She was born on January 25, 1919, in Meridian, Mississippi and was the youngest of ten children born to Frederick Phillip and Annie Colston Merz. Florence spent most of her life in Meridian and graduated from Meridian High School. She worked outside the home for a few years, but spent most of her life as a devoted homemaker to her family. She moved to North Carolina in 2014 to be near her daughter, but dearly missed her home town.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters, and her husband of 61 years, Lewis Michel.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Backus and husband, Alan of Raleigh, North Carolina; her son, Phillip Peevey and wife, Mavis, of Norcross, Georgia; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Michel’s memory may be made to Transitions Hospice, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Wake Forest for the faithful and compassionate care given to Mrs. Michel.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.