Merita Mae Greer

On August 14, 2025, the world lost a one-of-a-kind woman — Merita Mae Greer, 85 years young at heart, sharp-witted, and never afraid to tell you exactly what she thought. She was the loving wife of the late James M. Greer, who passed in July 2000, and together they built a life of 35 years filled with laughter, family, and more than a few spirited debates.

Merita was born in Roanoke, VA on February 24, 1940, to Henry L. and Beulah Light, and grew up with her brothers Lynwood and Algie Light. She attended Jefferson High School, but her real degree came from the school of hard knocks. Without a college diploma, she proved that brains, grit, and determination could take you far — far enough, in her case, to become a Revenue Agent for the IRS, a job she worked with pride for nearly three decades before retiring.

Retirement didn’t slow her down. She had opinions — lots of them — and she wasn’t afraid to share them, especially while tuned in to Fox News and her other favorite conservative shows. For about 20 years, she was a proud member of Woodforest Baptist Church, where her faith was as fiery as her personality. If you got on her bad side, you might hear her signature phrase: “Get behind me, Satan.” If you were lucky enough to be on her good side, you’d get gummy bears, pepperoni pizza with jalapeños, enchiladas verdes, flan, and plenty of love.

Merita leaves behind her children Susie Bass (Richard Bass) and Michael Greer (Erika Greer), her six grandchildren — Ashley, James, Christian, Rebecca, Santiago, and Gina — and her seven great-grandchildren — Addison, Zoey, Khryen, Raiden, Savannah, Kyle, and David. She is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband James and her son Richard Greer, who passed in April 2023.

We’ll gather to honor her with a graveside service on August 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery, Roanoke, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dementia Society of America (www.dementiasociety.org/donate) — a cause close to our hearts.

Merita was many things — strong, outspoken, fiercely loyal, and completely unforgettable. She was the kind of woman who could make you laugh while setting you straight, who loved her family deeply, and who left a mark on everyone lucky enough to know her. She didn’t just live 85 years — she owned them.