
of Fort Smith, AR
October 4, 1974 - September 27, 2019
Michelle Lee Snyder Merrill, 44, of Fort Smith passed away on Friday, September 27, 2019.
She was born on October 4, 1974 in Dansville, New York to Richard George Snyder and Sandra Lee (Kern) Snyder.
Michelle was a cheerleader for eight years, she served on the student council and was president from 1991-1992; she was also the Southside High School Class of 1992 class president. She was a member of Key Club and later the White River Kiwanis. She attended University of Arkansas Fayetteville and graduated with a degree in psychology as well as a law degree from University of Arkansas-Fayetteville School of Law and was also a member of the Public Interest Law Society at the university. She worked for 18 years as a law clerk with The United States District Courts Western District of Arkansas serving the Honorable Judge Robert T. Dawson and the Honorable Judge Mark E. Ford.
She is survived by her mother; her children, Matthew (Chelsea) Merrill, Madison Merrill and Theron Merrill, all of Sallisaw, Oklahoma; her grandchildren, Peyton, Kam, Hawken, and Layla Merrill of Sallisaw, Oklahoma; her twin brother, Michael "Chico" Snyder of Batesville; two sisters, Kelly Marie (Fred) Denison and Shawna Leigh Snyder, both of Batesville; niece, Kori Marie Denison of Jonesboro; uncle, Ronald Snyder of North Cohocton, New York; two aunts, Judy (Gary) Clark and Peggy (Alan) Kern both of Atlanta, New York; and cousins, Matthew Snyder and Nicholas Snyder; other survivors include, Raymond Lee Merrill and friends, Jenny Scoufos, Deedee Kasting, Jamie and Amanda Richardson.
She is preceded in death by her father.
Pallbearers will be Steve Moody, Jamie Richardson, Matt Merrill, Theron Merrill, Fred Vaughn Denison Jr., and John Scarbrough. Honorary pallbearers will be the Honorable Robert T. Dawson and the Honorable Mark E. Ford.
Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 2, 2019, in the Southside High School Auditorium with Brother Roger Hook officiating. Burial will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you please donate to Southside School Jr High and Sr High Student Council, c/o Susan Davis, 70 Scott Drive, Batesville, AR 72501.

Thoughts and prayers for the family of Michelle. She was a sweetheart in high school and the world is not the same without her in it.

She was very kind person
she always had a smile for me , I will miss her .I am so sorry .

Was very blessed to have you as a dear friend . Will never forget the times we spent together . Thinking of you and your family . Love and miss you.

Prayers for you all. Michelle was a wonderful person and she will be missed, but her memories will be forever.

You were a wonderful friend who touched many lives. You were a true inspiration and greatly admired.

A bright light has left the world. Prayers to all of you.

Michelle was my very first supervisor when I became a clerk for the federal court. She was poised, confident, modest, and generous with her time and talents. She had a keen legal mind and an ability to solve any problem that was put in front of her. I admired her so much and learned more valuable lessons from her than I can count. Michelle was also a friend to me. She had the warmest, kindest soul, and I will remember her forever.

Michelle was a bright light in the world. Prayers of comfort and strength for her family and friends.

Beautiful woman, my heart is bigger because of you. I love you so much. I am not the age you were when we met. I hope that someone younger than me will up at me and say, " I want to be like her when I grow up" just like so many people including myself have said about you. I have no words good enough, except I will love in your memory.

Sending prayers for now and every day thereafter in heartbreak for so many. Michelle was such a light and I hope she felt the magnitude of impact she made on others. What a blessing to know such a humble soul.

Her fight inspired so many. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. So sorry for your loss of a beautiful person inside and out.

Deepest condolences to Michelle's family. What a precious, beautiful soul she was. Michelle radiated more light and love than anyone I have ever met. She made the world a better place!
Melanie and Roger Sparks

One of the kindest people I ever had the pleasure of working alongside in the Court system. Her quick wit and easy smile will be missed. My prayers are with her family and friends over this tremendous loss.

We were so saddened to hear of your sisters passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Prayers for the family during this time. May the Lord provide peace and comfort.

Sorry for your loss .

Michelle was the best. The very, very best. I will miss her terribly. Sending good thoughts to her family and friends and remembering those fun times in Fayetteville.

I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Michelle through working for the Court and our love of Bobby Bones. She was so caring, giving, and strong. She kept fighting after many would have given up in despair. Her faith was strong and she was blessed with supportive friends and family. Remember the good times and try not to dwell on the bad.

Michelle inspired everyone around her to put on their smiling face and live life to the fullest no matter what your burdens. She was so special and touched all who knew her. Prayers for her sweet family.

Heaven gained a precious angel

Michelle was a bright star that will always shine. Love and prayers for the family.

I was Fortunate to have known her. I will look back at that chapter of our youth with happy thoughts. She will be missed and prayers for the family.

Sorry for your loss. Prayers for the canopy

The void will never be filled in this life, but we know goodbye is only temporary. We love you ever so much.

Long fought battle. Thinking of the family. I guess it’s right .....life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get.

An amazing woman always with a beautiful genuine smil with a genuine heart.. I do believe she has a heart of gold. I pray God wraps His arms around the Merrill Family as well as Michelle’s own Family. Life is so uncertain, God is a loving, kind and merciful God and He allows us time to get prepared to fall into His hands. Gods mercy is renewed every morning we awake. I do believe Michelle got her life in order for she knew this day was coming!!! Michelle was definitely a warrior in Gods army. I will greatly miss her.💜💜💜

You were so loved. Praying fervently for your family. ❤️

Such a truly beautiful person, if only the whole world had what you had in you . Thank you Michelle for being our friend. You will forever be in our hearts. My golden girl we will miss you .
Crystal Ryan Craten Colt

My prayer with my dearest friend Michelle, we have known each other when we were a little girl and I graduated before her, we have couple of classes together and God bless you all

Broken hearts all over the world for you, love you to moon and back chick.

I am so sorry for the loss of such a beautiful person,so young ,so kind hearted and so loved. Crossed over Jordan to sing with the angels.

We are so sorry for your loss. Keeping your family in prayer during this time.

God bless you Michelle. You were a beautiful treasure to this world and you will be missed. Love, Alan and Rutledge Family

Hugs and prayers for Michelle’s family! ❤️

We are so very sorry for your loss. My family holds your family in our prayers

Your beautiful spirit and smile will never be forgotten. I can’t wait to see that smile on the streets of gold one day. Thoughts and prayers to all who knew and loved you especially your precious family.

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY. Glenn, Cathy, Chad and Brian Edwards


Prayers for the family.

So very sorry for this loss. Praying for the family and friends.

You will forever be one of the all around best people and friend I've ever known.

My thoughts and prayers go to Michelle's family and friends. May God be with each of you during the days ahead.