Mary Barlow Merck

Mary Barlow Merck, age 82 of Buford, Georgia, formerly of Sandersville, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2026, following an extended illness. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, April 11th at 11:00 a.m. in May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel, with burial in Davisboro City Cemetery. Reverend Larry Glover will officiate. Her family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service at 11:00 a.m.

Mary was born and reared in Fitzgerald; Georgia, daughter of the late John Quincey Barlow and the late Selma Cook Tidwell. She married early in life and lived in Germany due to her husband’s military duty. Following her return, she lived in Sandersville, where she was a homemaker and raised a young family. Mary later moved to Atlanta and began a 30-year career with General Motors in parts distribution, from which she retired. She later lived in Monroe, Georgia, where she worked again with auto parts for Hayes Chrysler. Mary returned to Sandersville to be near family. There she was an active member of the First Church of the Nazarene where she participated in the church’s visitation team. Mary loved to read and care for her grandchildren. She was extremely devoted to her family. Her son David Dewayne Evans predeceases her.

Survivors include her daughter, Laura Sheleen Adams of Hoschton, Ga; her daughter-in-law Gloria Evans Waller and her husband Jeff of Sandersville; and grandchildren, Reece Douglas Adams, Matthew Dewayne Evans, Wesley Linder Evans and Dawson Brock Evans.

Please leave an online condolence at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.