Brenda Gardner Merck, 68, of Powder Springs, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 1 surrounded by her loving family.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4 in the chapel of West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m. prior to the service.

The daughter of Abner Julian Gardner and Ruby Jane Gardner, Merck was born on June 17, 1944 in Atlanta. She attended Roosevelt High School and North Georgia College.

Afterwards, she worked at Lockheed for 20 years, and was also a secretary for former Georgia Gov. Ellis Arnall and for the law firm of Vangerpen and Rice.

She was a member of McEachern Memorial United Methodist Church in Powder Springs. A loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend, Merck will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her unforgettable laugh, and her gentle nature.

Survivors include her beloved husband, David Merck of Gainesville; children, William Todd Walthour (Tracey) of Temple, Julie Walthour Porter (Brian) of Acworth, and Gregory Lyle Walthour (Darcie) of Colorado Springs, CO; brother, Jon Kevin Gardner of Austell; eight grandchildren; and two nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Kim Alan Gardner.

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