Fern Atkinson Merrill passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020 at AnMed Health Medical Center. Born November 9, 1939 in Woodbury, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Lewis Edward Atkinson and Martha S. Atkinson. Fern was married to the late Theo David "Ted" Merrill who passed away in 2019. After high school graduation, Fern began a long career with the Ford Motor Company. She retired after 35 years as an executive secretary. When her late husband, Ted, sparked an interest in flying, she immediately suggested they train together. She and Ted became private pilots; enjoying the ability to travel all across the country. Fern loved crossword puzzles and, as she more times than not used ink, was considered an expert! When she was not at the Anderson YMCA exercising with friends, she was spending time with her family. Fern was the family organizer, planner, and can-doer. She never left any project unfinished and could always be relied on to "make it" happen. Fern's love of family, life and friends was foremost in every task she undertook. Those left to cherish Fern's memory are daughters, Kimberly K. Deutsch (David), of Blue Ridge, GA, and Pennie K. Huggins (Rudy) of Anderson, SC; grandchildren, Courtney Johnson (Jason), Carly Huggins, Kalie Vinson (Joseph), Cori Guilbault (Ryan) and Joseph "Joey" Deutsch; and great grandchildren, Blair Johnson and Noah Vinson; and brothers, Lewis Atkinson (Bernadette Raimondi) of Mechanicsburg, PA, and Brian Atkinson (Sylvia) of Christiansburg, VA. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the family will host a celebration of Fern's wonderful life in the summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 401 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.