1958-2026
Darla Ann McManus Merritt, age 68, of Pine Bluff, passed away February 15, 2026. Born January 10, 1958, in Monticello, she was the daughter of the late Harold McManus and Lou Ann Webb McManus. She spent her early years in Star City before moving to Pine Bluff, attending Gabe Myer Elementary School and Belair Junior High School. A 1976 graduate of Pine Bluff High School, she was on the Zebra Girls Cheer Squad, an award-winning gymnast, a winner in the Guidepost Young Writers contest and was chosen as The Senior Beauty.
Darla furthered her education at the University of Central Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Kodiak College in Alaska. Her work life included Administrative Assistant at First South Savings and Loan and Education Coordinator and Co-Director of MASH (Medical Applications of Science for Health Summer Enrichment Camp for High School Students) at the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in Pine Bluff. She also served as the Education Coordinator at Providence Medical Center in Kodiak, Alaska.
During her adult years, she lived in Pine Bluff and Watson, Arkansas; Anchorage, Alaska; and on Kodiak Island, Alaska. After being widowed in 2010, she lived near her brother, Jeff Hager, in Sheridan, Arkansas, and her brother, Mark Hager, in Hardy, Arkansas. She returned to Pine Bluff in 2024 and lived here until her death. After her children and grandchildren, nothing brought Darla more pleasure than her pets of every kind. She enjoyed raising Maltese dogs for many years. Additionally, she enjoyed gardening, cooking, crafts, Bingo, and laughing with friends and family.
In addition to her parents and her stepmother, Carolyn McManus, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mark Merritt, whom she married on June 20, 1998, and her prenatal granddaughter, Ashlyn Elizabeth Howell.
Survivors include her children, Sarah Simpson Howell (Adam) and James Simpson; two stepdaughters, Emily Merritt Bell and Crystal Merritt; four grandchildren, Mackenzie Lee Howell, Cassidy Grace Howell, Jay Simpson Duckworth, and Sadie Anna Simpson; three brothers, Mark Hager (Melody), Jeff Hager (Mary), Harold McManus, Jr.; one sister, Carole Ann McManus Neeley (Dane); and many cousins.
Visitation and funeral services will be Saturday, March 14, 2026, at First Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, where she had been a member for many years. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. and the service at 2:00 p.m., followed by interment in Bellwood Cemetery. Darla’s pastor, Bro. Don Robbins of New Hope Baptist Church, Hardy, Arkansas, will officiate the funeral.
The family would like to thank the staff at Trinity Village Assisted Living for their care for Darla during her time there.
Memorials may be made to Jefferson County Humane Society, PO Box 2233, Pine Bluff, AR 71613; First Baptist Church Pine Bluff, 6501 South Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71603; The American Diabetes Association, diabetes.org
