Lake County Obituaries

May Ford Merritt

Submitted by Dorothy Henry

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Lake County Bee, August 12, 1949

MAY MERRITT DIES, FUNERAL SERVICES HELD WEDNESDAY 
Mrs. May Ford Merritt passed away at Lakeside Hospital Sunday night, after a 
brief illness contracted while visiting her sones, Richard and Earle, at Konocti 
Bay. Her death was attributed to a heart attack. 
The deceased, the former May Phennegar, was born in Ruby Valley, Nev. January 1, 
1867. She grew to young womanhood on her grandparents (Andrew Jackson and Laura 
Estelle THOMPSON) large cattle ranch in Nevada. When they sold the property she 
moved with them to Cheney, Wash., where she met and married Herbert R. Ford. Two 
children were born to this union. Richard H. Ford and Leslie Earle Ford, who 
both reside in Kelseyville. 
In 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Ford, while visiting in Lake County, were deeply impressed 
with the beauty of Konocti Bay and purchased practically the entire bay, where 
she and her sons later lived. Mr. and Mrs. Ford lived for several years in 
Calistoga, where he was employed as station agent for the Southern Pacific 
Railroad. 
Mrs. Ford moved to Konocti Bay in 1906 and later to Lakeport, where she was 
married to Harry W. Merritt in 1912. They lived at their pear orchard west of 
Kelseyville until Mr. Merritt’s health made it necessary to move to Lakeport. He 
preceded her in death in 1941. 
Mrs. Merritt was very active in lodge and civic affairs, being a charter member 
of the Lakeport Art Club. She was also a member of Clear Lake Chapter O.E.S. and 
a past district deputy of Konocti Rebekah Lodge. 
Mrs. Merritt, beloved by a host of friends throughout the county, also enjoyed 
outdoor sports. She was an ardent fisherman and enjoyed camping. 
She leaves, besides her two sons and their wives, two grandchildren, Dixie F. 
Elliott of Palm Desert and Father Francis Ford, who was recently stationed in 
Spokane, Wash. Another grandson John Herbert, passed away in 1943. Three 
great-grandchildren Judith Virginia Ford, Michael J. Ford and Charles Richard 
Elliott also survive. 
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday from the Jones Mortuary. 
Interment followed at the Kelseyville cemetery.