Former community activist Merrily Ann (McKinley) Moss died October 31, 2021, in Nashville. She was 78 years old.
Mrs. Moss was homebound for several years after toxic fumes she inhaled in the workplace cost her much of her ability to be physically active. Until then, she was well-known as a volunteer for various civic and church activities – to include service as president of the Montgomery County and Cheatham County chapters of the American Cancer Society, when she organized the first of the area’s popular Love Lights A Tree fundraisers, and, while she was employed by the Clarksville Police Department, organized the first Kids Day Run for elementary school children in Montgomery County.
Mrs. Moss was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., the daughter of C.R. “Irish” McKinley and Marcella Piper McKinley. Survivors include her two children, Max E. Moss, Jr., and his wife Terri, of Stigler, OK and Karen Sue McIntyre and her husband Mike, of Nashville, her sister Susan Hayes, of Evansville, IN., four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 59 years, Max Moss, Sr., in 2020.
Mrs. Moss was a graduate of Richmond High School in Indiana, attended Indiana University, and successfully completed numerous government-related extension courses offered by the University of Tennessee. She was an avid photographer, loved to travel as much as her health would allow, and was passionate about Indiana University basketball, and national politics. She loved spending time with her children and their families, especially at Christmas.
Working full or part-time, she was a salesclerk, magazine circulation director, travel agent, lingerie store manager, and administrative assistant and traffic control coordinator for the Clarksville Police Department.
She was a former member of New Providence United Methodist Church in Clarksville and, since 1986, a member of Pleasant View United Methodist Church.
A memorial service will be held at Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Pleasant View on Friday, November 12 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Paul Edwards officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interment will be in Earlham Cemetery in Richmond, IN.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations might be made in her name to support the Pleasant View United Methodist Church, 2621 Church St., Pleasant View, TN 37146.
AUSTIN & BELL FUNERAL HOME in Pleasant View is in charge of these arrangements.
6316 Highway 41A, Pleasant View, Tennessee 37146 (615) 746-4433 www.austinandbell.com
