Joyce MerrellJoyce Diane Merrell, 85, resident of Old Town, Florida, died Saturday, April 29, 2017 in the Tri-County Hospice Care Center, Chiefland, following a brief illness.Mrs. Merrell was born on September 17, 1931 in Van Nuys, California. As a young lady, she worked in the cafeteria at Paramount Studios, where she began her lifelong love of movies. She lived and worked as a nurse, and an elderly caregiver, and the director of a convalescent center in California, before moving later in life to Alexandria, Louisiana. She lived there for many years, until retiring and moving to Old Town, just a few years ago.Mrs. Merrell loved swimming and taking family vacations to the beach. She was preceded in death by two children, her daughter, Brandy Mabou, and a son, Christopher William Messer.She is survived by her husband, Charles Daniel Merrell; three daughters, Teresa Diane Messer, of Lodi, CA, Sharon Merrell, of Quincy, IL and Heidi Merrell Grunwald, of San Antonio, TX. Seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive.Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 1:00 P. M., in the Chapel of Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea, 823 NW 143rd St. Interment will follow in Jonesville Cemetery. The family will receive friends, for one hour prior to the funeral, beginning at 12:00 P. M. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to AMVETS, Post #7, 3409 England Drive, Alexandria, LA 71303. Please visit her memorial page at: www.williamsthomasfuneralhome.com.FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONWILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA(352) 376-7556