Mrs. Jone Ellis Merchant, age 89, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026. She was born on September 20, 1936 in Washington County, Florida to Reginald Rudolph Ellis and Lillian Brown Ellis.

Mrs. Merchant was a lifelong resident Washington County and Holmes County, Florida. She was a Baptist by faith. She was a devoted wife of 60 years, devoted mother and grandmother. She worked as the Postmaster at the Caryville Post Office in Caryville, Florida for over 25 years. Having received Postmaster of the Year Award.

Mrs. Merchant was preceded in death by her parents; her late husband, Ralph H Merchant and three sisters, Bernice Bonner, Beatrice Miller and Jeanette Kilbourn.

Mrs. Merchant is survived by her son, Monty Merchant his wife Lisa; daughter, Leita Holland and grandchildren, Erik Merchant his fiancé Sara and her son, Andy and Ethan Merchant his wife Anna

Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, April 20, 2026 at New Ponce de Leon Cemetery; Hwy 81 N, approximately 1/2 mile north of the US Hwy 90 & US Hwy 81N intersection in Ponce de Leon, Florida, 32455 with Reverends Gary Taylor and Stacy Stafford officiating.

Flowers are being accepted or the family requests that donations be made to Emerald Coast Hospice at https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Research at https://www.stjude.org/