Claudia Lynnette Merritt Rockwood (Surf CIty, NC) "Sister' to family, "Lynne" to friends, went to be with the Lord on March 8th, 2023, following a courageous battle with cancer.

"Sister" was the only daughter of the late Tom Watson Merritt and the late Sarah Yvonne Boone Merritt of Rose Hill, NC. She is survived by her brothers, Steve Merritt (Lisa) of Winchester, VA, Chris Merritt (Marsha), of Fuquay-Varina. NC, Mark Merritt (Terry) of Surf City, NC, and Mitch Merritt (Beth) of Pittsboro, NC.

Sister, the unofficial family historian. shared a remarkable bond with her first cousins and thrived on telling tales and holding onto family traditions.  Her greatest titles were "Mama" and "Mawmaw". She is survived by her son, Jefferson "Eric" Waters, of PA, and his children, Jannia (mom, Danielle) and "Evie" (mom, Rushella); her daughter, Melissa Lynn Del Bosque (David), of Floresville, TX, and her children, Tamara Waters (FItzhugh, and great granddaughter Nova Wren), Jeffrey Waters, Jerami Amra, Rajah Amra, Michael Amra, Kiranna Steinberg, and Sarah Rivera; and her (step-)daughter, Rosemary Rockwood, and her children, Amber Peterson Austin (great grandsons - Grayson and Mason), George "Buddy" Carter (great grandson Dawson John), and Catherine "Cat" Carter (Clark).

"Lynne," a retired nurse, set an example of selfless devotion by her lifelong service to others. In recent years, she enjoyed fishing with her best friend, Celia, and spending time with her loyal dog, Oliver. Lynne spent the last three years traveling extensively throughout the country with her daughter, Melissa. She crossed off many bucketlist items, made lots of memories and shared countless laughs.

Lynne was predeceased by her husband, Howard A. "Rocky" Rockwood, in 1994. And her brother, Thomas Jefferson Merritt in 1973.

A celebration of life will be planned for this summer. All family and friends are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Trinity Methodist Church: 1690 Trinity Church Rd., Magnolia, NC 28453, or to The Lower Cape Fear Life Center: online at (https://lifecare.org/donate/) or vial mail: 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.