Merry Louise Boyd-Bunch

Merry Boyd-Bunch was born On Christmas day in 1950 to Mable Marmon and Herbert Jackson in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Merry was the third of nine children.  Mable moved her family to San Diego, California in 1956 so that she could have more opportunities to pursue her nursing career.  Merry was fortunate to have a second father when Mable married Walter Wickware in 1967.  Walter accepted the role of raising Mable’s nine children as his own.

Merry attended Chollas Elementary School and Gompers Junior High.  As a child Merry was a scholar and she enjoyed teaching her younger siblings reading and writing skills. Merry always had a zest for knowledge so it’s not surprising that this drive led her to pursue a profession where she was allowed to teach, help, and provide others with structure in their lives.

While attending Lincoln Preparatory High School Merry and her sister Diane were members of a youth club called The Dukes and Duchesses. The club fed the homeless and coordinated events for the youth, among other things.  Merry loved to dance so the club would often organize sock-hops for teenagers. The club focused on enhancing self-esteem and encouraging positive attitudes, in an effort to create successful and confident young adults.  Following high school graduation in 1968 Merry furthered her education at San Diego City College where she earned her teaching credential. Merry was an extremely gifted instructor and made a lasting impression on her students as well as colleagues while teaching at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC).  Merry was instrumental in creating the learning center at ECC, which helped young adults obtain their high school diplomas and GED’s. In the late 1970’s Merry was on the committee which established the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade that traveled through the Lincoln Park neighborhood of San Diego.

In 1969 Merry and Herbert Boyd were married.  In the years following their union they were blessed with three beautiful children, one daughter, Delilah La’Che Boyd and twin sons Herbert Lee Boyd III and Walter LeMont Boyd.

Merry met Richard Bunch in 1974 and their love would stand the many tests of time.  Merry and Richard blended their two families into one adding a son Christopher Jenkins and a daughter Tarra Bunch.  Merry and Richard expanded their family in 1982 with the birth of their son Richard Anderson Bunch III.

In 1989, Merry and Richard moved their family to Oregon and she began work at the Portland Community College teaching courses on English as a second language, General Education Diploma Courses, and Adult Basic Education. After working for Portland Community College, Merry took her talents to Job Corps where she taught at the Pivot Program for young mothers assisting them with job placement, parent training and support.  Merry stayed active in her community through coordinating multicultural celebrations at Sabin Elementary School as part of the Portland Public School District. After working for Job Corps, Merry reunited with Portland Community College and began working as an academic advisor for new students looking to advance their education.

Merry and Richard were officially married on August 25, 1997.  Merry was known to family and friends as loving, caring and wise.  She treated her family and loved ones with love and always greeted them with a smile. Merry was an avid Buddhist and stayed in contact with the local chapter of Soka Gakkai International Organization.  A devoted member of the community and always willing to extend a hand to those in need, Merry became a foster parent for a young mother and her son for several years.

On January 3, 2020 Merry’s spirit departed her earthly body. Merry was preceded in death by her husband Richard Anderson Bunch Jr.; parents Mabel Jackson-Wickware and Walter Wickware; three brothers Gregory Jackson, Alfred Moore and Sergant Jackson; and two sisters Tonya Clark and Antionette “Toni” Jackson.

Merry leaves to cherish and honor her memory her daughter Delilah Boyd and her husband Wufus, her sons Herbert Lee Boyd III and his wife Artia, Walter LeMont Boyd and his wife Tonya, and Richard Anderson Bunch III and his wife Chelsea; step-children Christopher Jenkins and Tarra Bradley.

Grandchildren; Marlon Thomas, Che’la Bennett, Annaliese Boyd, Mia Thomas, Kelvin Bradley Jr.,  Amiel Boyd, Richard “Rico” Bunch IV and Dashaun “DJ” Bunch.

Great-grandchildren; Kailani Thomas and Zion Boyd.

Three sisters; Diane Greer of Fort Worth, Texas; Melody Jackson of San Diego, California; and Debra Jackson-Evans and husband Donnell of Perris, California, as  well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Acknowledgements
Merry’s family wishes to convey their sincere gratitude for the kind expressions of condolences during this difficult period.  Your cards, calls, flowers and especially your prayers were a source of strength and comfort. We Thank You.