Addie Merle McKee Hernandez, age 91, died on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 in her room at, Encore of Avalon Park Assisted Living Facility in Orlando, FL.  From her birth in Ruleville, MS on September 15, 1926, to her death on Tuesday she nourished people around her with love, faith, and warmth. She was born to Adlai and Merle (Thompson) McKee and was the fifth of six children. After graduating from high school, she moved to Tampa, FL where she married, raised two children, and worked until her retirement in 1991.

Merle attended West Hillsboro Baptist church where she served in many capacities, from teaching Sunday School, leading the Christian Business Women's Association, helping with the food pantry, and hosting many Bible studies and prayer meetings. It was through the ministry of this church that she and her husband met and adopted their son.

Merle blessed the lives of everyone who knew her. She loved well and unselfishly, and warmly welcomed anyone and everyone into her home. She also had the best sense of humor and a beautiful, dimpled smile. But most of all she loved God and wanted everyone to love Him like she did. She was a humble, faithful child of God, a woman of fervent prayer, and she left a strong legacy of faith. Her children (and their children and their children) rise up and call her blessed.

Left to honor Merle and remember her love are her children, Steve (Sharon) Harris and Pamela (Skip) Fengfish; three grandchildren, Craig (Jeanná) Harris, Ross (Jess) Fengfish, Brynn (Joey) Allen; six great-grandchildren, Eli and Andrew Allen, Colton and Cody Harris, and Anna and Wyatt Fengfish; her beloved cousin, Hattie Jean Beckum, and two special nieces, Linda Mullins and Paula Kyzer.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 24 at 10:30 am at Encore at Avalon Park, 13798 Cygnus Drive, Orlando.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Merle's name to Wycliffe Bible Translators or Word on the Street Homeless Ministries.

Merle's family would also like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at the Encore Assisted Living Facility and Cornerstone Hospice for their attentiveness and loving care.