Juanita "Tootie" Merida

Juanita W. “Tootie” Merida, age 93, of Nicholasville, passed away   Friday, May 16, 2025 at her home. Born March 17, 1932  in Jessamine County, she was a daughter of the late Clifford & Grace May Woods, Tootie was a beautician for many years, a caregiver, and a 20 year  employee for a local funeral home. Preceded in death by her husband James “Buck” Merida, she was a longtime member of Edgewood Baptist Church in Nicholasville, who enjoyed spending quality time with her family, walking around the block, gardening and canning, but especially loved her relationship with the Lord .

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers,  Coleman, Rice Miller, John & Clifford Ray Woods, Ruby Knight, Eva Hughes, Hazel Dillingham & Kathleen Spradlin.

Her survivors include her sister, Rosa Lee Mink of Lancaster, her Godchildren, Linda Lee (Jeff) Durham of Lancaster, her great and great great Godchildren,  Brian (Audrey) Durham of Richmond, and Latrisha Locker of Lancaster, Blake, Brynlee & Brooklyn Durham, Patrick, Micah, & Vernon Locker and Evan King,  numerous nieces and nephews, as well as her “Goodest Best Friend” Joan Deane of Nicholasville.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, May 23, 2025 at Edgewood Baptist Church by Rev. Steve Gray. Burial will follow in Camp Nelson National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be T.J. Goodwin, Brian Durham, Clifford Woods, Billy Ray Woods, George Woods and Matthew Woods. Honorary Bearers will be Patrick, Micah, & Vernon  Locker,  Blake Durham and John West. Visitation will be Thursday, May 22 from 5 - 8 PM  at the church and from 10:00 am until service time Friday at the church. Friends and family may leave special memories or condolences on her tribute page at www.ramsey-young.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Juanita "Tootie" Merida, please visit our floral store.