Joan Quick Merck

 It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Joan Quick Merck of Buford, GA on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the age of 91. Born in Fredericksburg, VA on Flag Day, Joan was a selfless individual that cared, protected, and provided for everyone before herself. She worked for the telephone company to put herself through Furman University becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. Joan graduated cum laude in 1955 with a BA in English. While raising a family, Joan worked for the Methodist Center and YMCA in Columbia, SC providing her nurturing skills to many. As a member of Shandon United Methodist Church, she was a Cub Scout Leader and Sunday schoolteacher ensuring that her children grew up in a Christ centered environment. After her children moved on, she continued working for AT&T taking on more responsibilities and never stopped her thirst for learning going back to school for a marketing position at 57 before retiring in her early 60s. However, Joan was not finished. After attending Erskine Seminary during her last years at AT&T, she spent almost 12 years as pastor of Triune United Methodist delivering her first sermon on her 66th birthday. Included in her ministry was the directorship of the Triune Mercy Center, which started as a soup kitchen and eventually expanded to provide groceries, clothing, kerosene and candles, along with Bible study and worship services. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jessie Belle and Francis Quick, her daughter, Karen Merck, and former husband, Hubert Merck. She is survived by her son Hu of Buford, GA; former daughter-in-law Deborah Merck of Suwanee, GA; grandchildren, Houston (Sammie) Merck with great grandchildren Cooper and Aiden of East Atlanta, Madison (Jonathan) Harkey with great grandchild Riah of Washington, DC; Savannah Merck of Buford, GA; her sister Dee Long West of Atlanta; her brother Alan (Maggie) Quick of Destin, FL.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023 in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, GA.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Interment with Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Monday, October 16, 2023 at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville, SC.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at parkinson.org.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.