Obituary: Eva Meridith

Eva Meridith — God reached out, placed her hand in His and led her Home. Eva passed from this world on Dec. 23, 2016. Our hearts are filled with tears and sorrow, but we rejoice in our Mother’s release from the pain and suffering of this world. We have been blessed because God gave us a true Earth Angel for a Mom.

Her children: Danny Meridith, Butch and Rainelle Meridith, Debra and Randy Kraft, Andrew and Debra Kral, Lia Kral. Grandchildren: Michael and Melissa Meridith,

Michelle Clevenger, Mike B. Meridith, Christy and Jason Kempher, Bradley Meridith,

Mike Frostrom, Michele Frostrom and Marcus Kral.

Great-grandchildren: Josh Clevenger, Abigail and Alex Meridith, Paige and Cole Kempher and Christian and Lacy Meridith.

Eva’s family tree was planted in Central Florida multiple generations ago. She was born in Orlando (Orlo Vista) on Aug. 8, 1926, to Heber Buckner Walker and Francis Turner Walker.

The youngest of five children, she is now in joyous reunion with her brothers, Robert Walker and B.H. Walker; and her sisters, Mildred Vickers and Dorothy Mauldin.

She met her true love and soulmate, Emery, at the tender age of 15 and he at 17.

They eloped one year later on Dec. 8, 1942. They made their home in Orlando until

1959, when Emery packed up the family and moved them to a remote location called

Windermere. Windermere’s population of 500 provided the family with a real

“Mayberry” kind of life.

She and Emery were happily married for 38 years but were sadly separated by Emery’s untimely death in 1980. Few though they were, those years were filled with fun adventures, building a thriving business, making many friends, raising three children, helping anyone in anyway they could, while loving each other with all their heart and soul.

Six years after Emery’s death, Eva met and married another good man, Frank Kral. Frank’s two children, Andrew and Lia, were a happy addition to Eva’s family, and she quickly pulled them into her heart.

Eva always prayed that God would bless her with a family and lots of children to care for and love. Although she gave birth to only three babies, He was gracious to answer her prayers and gave her many families and children to love and give of herself.

Eva was always available to lend a helping hand wherever needed. She was involved in numerous West Orange organizations, which brought her great joy and rich friendships.

She was part of the West Orange Junior Service League, West Orange Memorial Hospital, PEO, Orlando Sportsman’s Club, Autistic Handicapped Children of Central Florida, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and too many PTAs to count.

We will be honoring our Mother with a celebration of her beautiful spirit and life with a service Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. This will be followed by a social time to share smiles, stories and some good Southern food.

Service Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, Church of the Messiah, 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden, FL 34787. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Autistic Handicapped Children of Central Florida, P.O. Box 780265, Orlando, FL 32878; ahccf.org.