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Merrilee Ann Snipes Bath, of San Antonio, went to be with the Lord on May 9, 2024. She was born May 17, 1953 in San Antonio, Texas to Mary Ann and Roy Lee Snipes Jr. Merrilee was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Merrilee marched to the beat of her own drummer, and operated on her own timetable. This allowed her to contemplate day-to-day realities on a deeper level, to find hidden beauty all around her, and to reflect and share that beauty with everyone who was blessed to share in her life. She loved children, and made the lives of her children, children in law, grandchildren, and nephews/nieces so much richer with her love and attention, humor and inspiration. She inspired her children and grandchildren to share in her love of nature, art, reading, swimming and spending time outdoors. She was deeply rooted in and committed to faith and family. She was happiest and most fulfilled when sharing quality time with her family, and she is eternally in us and with us. She loved nature so much, loved spending time in nature with friends and family (as well as alone), and imparted to her children and grandchildren her intimate connection with plants and animals, with all of God's creatures and natural spaces. She often shared and inspired us with her childlike sense of wonder at the beauty found in nature, and all around us. She cultivated a beautiful garden, and a beautiful family around her, and made the world a better, a more peaceful, and a more beautiful place just by being Merrilee. She will be remembered among friends and family especially for her wry wit and her unique sense of humor, for unexpected quips that seemed to come out of left field, that could sometimes make you laugh until it hurt, and that gave a glimpse into her unique perspective on life. The thing that can't be well described in words is her sense of grace, calm, placidity, warmth, kindness, caring, compassion and innate understanding of the desires, needs, cares, motivations of people around her. Her compassionate, spiritual, and intuitive nature. She made things better just by showing up. Her presence was a calming and cooling agent, and we are all better for having shared in it. You are so sorely missed, Merrilee. She loved animals so well, and her animals were at the center of her life - real members of her family. She shared with her brother Roy Lee, III a connection with animals that amplifies and extends the joy of human life, and that teaches us all about the spiritual connection among all living things. Merrilee was an artist. She enjoyed painting and pastels, drawing with ink and pencil. Even her simplest "doodles" took unexpected forms, illustrating a wildly active and attentive mind - another way that God channeled his beauty, majesty and mysticism through Merrilee. She was a free spirit on Earth, and can now be completely free in the hereafter, sharing in God's love and watching over us all. She came from a mother and father, from a family of strong faith. That faith remained and grew in her, and she passed it on to her children and grandchildren, and shared it with all family and friends. She shared with family her joy in reading favorite psalms as well as parables, and passages from the life of Christ, and she lived a life that exemplified Christ's love for us. As described by her father: "She is sensitive, alive, beautiful, and very delicate." As described by her brother: "She is sensitive, calm and courageous." As described by her son: "She is so deeply herself, and so comfortable being herself. She is so quietly and peacefully beautiful, and so incredibly strong." Merrilee was preceded in death by her first husband, Abelardo Mendez Jr., her daughter Rhiannon Bath, her brother, Craig Miller, and her second husband, William Bath. Merrilee is survived by her brother, Roy Lee III; her son, Abelardo Mendez III; her daughter in law, Zarines, and grandchildren Abelardo IV, Luz, Roy and Cecilia; and cousins. We will miss you, Merrilee. We thank you for sharing your life, love and faith with us, and we so look forward to again feeling the warmth and joy of your presence, in union with the Lord, in the next life. Thank You, Lord, for giving us Merrilee.

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Merrilee Snipes Bath

May 17, 1953 - May 9, 2024