Camille Byers Merson

Camille Byers Merson was born in Wapanucka, Oklahoma, to Carrie Reed Byers and Harry Byers. The family moved to Atoka, Oklahoma when she was a teenager. After high school graduation from Atoka High School, she attended Central City Community College in Waco, Texas. She then moved to Oklahoma City and went to work for Cities Service Oil Company. At age 24 she met and married Herman Merson, on November 24, 1935, and established a home in the Capitol Hill area of Oklahoma City. She had two sons, Harry born in 1937 and Bob born in 1938. She became active in the Heronville grade school Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) and through her PTA activities became president of the Oklahoma City PTA and Oklahoma State PTA. While Herman Merson was in the U.S. Army during World War II she was active in raising funds for the war effort and volunteering in many local charities, including the Red Cross. She was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed playing the piano for many years. Camille and Herman were charter members of Hillcrest Golf & Country Club, where she enjoyed the companionship of her many southside friends and golfing with her husband. She and Herman enjoyed traveling the United States and many parts of the world. Camille was active in the Oklahoma County Bar Auxiliary for many years. She was a member of Temple B'nai Israel, Emanuel Synagogue and their sisterhoods, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City. Her beloved husband, Herman, predeceased her on July 15, 1999. Camille is survived by her son, Harry and wife Hedra, of Oklahoma City, and her son, Bob and wife Arlene, of Boca Raton, Florida. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Amy Cohn and husband Brad of Overland Park, Kansas; Susan Silver and husband Marc of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Howard Merson and wife Caren of Stowe, Vermont; and Michelle Merson of Boca Raton, Florida, and ten great grandchildren: Louis Cohn and wife Mika, Overland Park, Kansas; Andrew Cohn, Singapore; Katie Cohn, Overland Park, Kansas; Josh, Rebecca and Hannah Merson, Stowe, Vermont; Matthew, Dana and Caroline Silver, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Sammi Fronstin, Boca Raton, Florida; and her brother, Ross Byers and wife Louise, of Houston, Texas. Predeceasing Camille were her parents and two sisters, Berma Ruth Craig, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Sybil Byers, who died at age 18. The Merson Family so appreciates Mary Null, Lilly Bomett and Pam Cruzan for their devotion, companionship and loving care for these past few years. Also, we acknowledge Paula Avery, Caregiver Connection, for her counseling, compassion and attention to our Mother for these past few months. Everyone has been such a blessing to our Mother and all her family. Memorials can be made to the Endowment fund of Temple B'nai Israel, 4901 North Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, Oklahoma City Jewish Foundation, 710 West Wilshire Blvd., Suite 103, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, or the Merson Family Charitable Fund held by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, 1000 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Funeral Services will be Friday, December 28, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at Temple B'nai Israel, 4901 North Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.