Shelly Merchant, age 50, of Brownwood, passed away on September 14, 2024. Family will receive friends from 6-8PM on Friday, September 20, at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. Graveside services for Shelly will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, September 21, at Greenleaf Cemetery.

Shelly was born on October 10, 1973 to Katherine and Lester O’neal in Brownwood. She married Ronnie Merchant on July 20, 1996, at Faith Baptist Church in Brownwood. Shelly loved spending time with her grand kids and family. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church and always talked about God. She was very kind to everyone; Shelly always welcomed everyone with open arms. She was the type to give the shirt off her back. She could be in the worst pain and it wouldn’t stop her from doing for others. If anyone needed a place to stay, she opened up her home. Shelly was a regular at Sonic; she always had to have her sonic drink. Shelly loved spoiling her grandkids. They knew it Mom said no, Nana would say yes. Shelly was all about family; she knew the whole family tree and would check on everyone. She made sure everyone knew about her faith and would preach to everyone when they were doing something they were not supposed to. She always cooked for everyone on Christmas & Thanksgiving. She talked on the phone with her daughter everyday and if she didn’t call, Emily would reach out. Emily would joke around with her and tell her if she ever passed, she would tell her to scoot over so she can be beside her. She didn’t believe in wasting money, so she always wanted everything done the cheapest way possible. Shelly will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Shelly is survived by her husband, Ronnie Merchant; children, Emily Moore and husband Travis, Ryan Merchant and wife Stephanie, and Johnathan O’neal and wife Sandy; 5 grandchildren, Bentley Moore, Love Moore, Vincent O’Neal, Hope O’neal, and Natalie O’neal; her mother, Katherine O’neal; sister, Tina Clark; brothers, Chris O’neal and Lester O’neal. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Shelly was preceded in death by her dad, Lester O’neal; her aunt and uncle, Betty and Ed Slaughter; uncle, Cicel Keith Jr. and her grandparents, Georgia and Cicel Keith.

Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net