Merilyn Elouise Harvey

Merilyn Elouise Harvey “Mer” passed away at her home peacefully surrounded by her family and friends
on February 25, 2023, at the age of 87. Merilyn was born in Beeville, Texas on March 10, 1935 to the
late Wallis D. “Bill” McNeill and the late Laurie Elouise Baker McNeill. Merilyn grew up in Mathis, Texas
where she graduated from Mathis High School. After graduation she attended Southwestern University
and the University of Houston. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Education, she returned to
Mathis and taught school for a year before marrying her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Stone Harvey,
on August 24, 1957. They moved to Beeville in 1958 and began raising their family. Merilyn was a loyal,
faithful and loving wife, mother and friend. She will always be remembered for her pleasant disposition,
her contagious laugh, love of her family and her world famous fried tacos.
Merilyn was preceded in death by her best friend Kenneth, her husband of 56 years. Merilyn is survived
by her brother, Wallis D. McNeill, Jr and wife Carolyn, two sons, Kenneth S. Harvey, Jr. and wife Karen,
Michael W. Harvey and wife Stacy, and one daughter, Laurie Cazalas and husband Tim. Her
grandchildren include Megan Jurach and husband Daniel, Lyndsey Campbell and husband Colt, Wahlt
Harvey, Blake Harvey and wife Annie, Barrett Harvey, Mackenzie Harvey, Logan Harvey and Savannah,
Hannah, Pierson and Preston Cazalas. Her great-grandchildren, DW, Elouise, Michael and Lula Jurach,
Kenleigh, Stone and Callaway Campbell and Lakelynn Harvey.
Special thanks and recognition go to Elena and Sonia, her faithful companions and caregivers for the
years of attention and dedication to helping Mer live a full life. Without their loyalty and dedication, we
couldn’t have done it. Also, thanks to Dr. Jonathan Martin for his friendship and many years of careful
management of Mer’s health issues.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday March 1, 2023, at the First Baptist Church of
Odem located at 307 West Turner in Odem, Texas. Immediately after the service lunch will be served in
the Family Life Center. Interment will be at 2:30 PM at Cenizo Hill Cemetery, Mathis, Texas. Pallbearers
are Wahlt Harvey, Blake Harvey, Barrett Harvey, Logan Harvey, Pierson Cazalas, Preston Cazalas, Daniel
Jurach and Colt Campbell. Honorary pallbearers are Jim Stone, Chuck Cazalas, Scott Elliff, Fred Elliff,
Allen Elliff, W. D. “Bill” McNeill Jr., Derrel Baker, Dr. Richard Haines, Dan Allen Hughes, Jack Conoly, Paul Stone,
Damian Welder and Dr. Jonathan Martin. The honorary pallbearers are a small representation of her
favorite relatives’ families, her longtime best friends’ families and those who held a special place in her
heart. We will all miss Mer!!!
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sanctuary Renovation Fund at the First Baptist Church
in Odem, Texas.