Merdie Best Obituary

In the early afternoon of Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Mrs. Merdie Denning Best passed away at Wayne UNC Healthcare. She was 80 years old.
A resident of the Mount Olive area, she was a loyal member of the Northeast Original Free Will Baptist Church. Known for her decorating abilities, she assisted many couples with their weddings, helped celebrate many birthdays, provided decor and food for many bridal showers and baby showers. She was the go-to person for such things and always provided excellent culinary and catering services.
She had worked for many years at R. G. Barry Co. in Goldsboro, first as a machine operator, then retiring in custodial maintenance.
Mrs. Best is survived by her children and their spouses, Renee Pope of Mount Olive, Linda and Airborne Cook of Kentucky, Sue and Dennis Turner, and William Allen "Bill" Best, Jr. and Roberta Best, all of Mount Olive; her grandchildren and spouses, Wendy and Neil Dickerson, Carla Padgett, Jennifer Turner, Matt Davenport, William A. Best III, Andrew Best, Christopher Best, Frank and Cathy King, Ashley and James Mullen, Randy Pope, Darren Pope, Justin Best, Daniel Ruggles, David and Danielle Cook, and Danny Cook; 26 great-grandchildren, with another to soon arrive. Also surviving are her in-laws from the Best family, Cecille Best, Ronnie Best, Duck B. Macon, and Jeanie B. and Jimmy Merritt, and several nieces and nephews.
In death she has found the loving embrace of her husband, William Allen "Billy" Best; a daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Steve King; another son-in-law, Randy Pope; her parents, Bert Lee Denning and Georgia Maynard Denning; her six siblings, Edna Cashwell, Carl Denning, Bert Denning, Eva Cashwell, Georgie McConnell, and Granville Denning; her parents-in-law, Roscoe and Carrie Ola Best; brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Bobby Best, Charles Macon, and LaRoyce B. and Donald Oates.
Funeral services for Mrs. Best will be Sunday, July 13, at 4:00 p.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home. Officiating will be her pastor, the Rev. Bryan Wheeler. Following the service, the family will receive condolences and the sharing of memories. Burial will be at Wayne Memorial Park on Monday, July 14, following at 12:00 Noon committal service. Flowers are welcome, or memorial gifts may be directed to Northeast Church, 489 Northeast Church Road, Mount Olive, NC 28365, directed to the attention of Geoffrey Merritt, church treasurer.
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