Helen Hedgepeth Cagle, 84, of Roanoke Rapids, died Saturday, July 25, 2009 at Guardian Care.

Mrs. Cagle was a native of Halifax County, the daughter of the late Moody Henry Hedgepeth and Inzie Mae Jones Hedgepeth. She was a long-time member of Rosemary Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas A. Merritt, and a sister, Doris Neal.

Mrs. Cagle is survived by two sons, Bob Merritt and his wife, Martha, and Tom Merritt and his wife, Betsy, all of Roanoke Rapids; six grandchildren, Tad Merritt and his wife, Marci, of Roanoke Rapids, Kate King and her husband, Ged, of Greensboro, Brad Wilson and his wife, Christine, of Gurnee, Ill., Ryan Merritt and his wife, Amanda, of Weldon, Travis Merritt and his wife, Heather, also of Weldon, and Taylor Merritt of Roanoke Rapids; and six grandchildren.

Askew Funeral & Cremation Services is handling the arrangements, where the family will receive friends on Monday, July 27, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 28, at 11:00 a.m. at Rosemary Baptist Church with Dr. Layne Wallace officiating.

Burial will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids.