Esther Naomi Koutny

Esther Naomi Koutny, a resident of Cleveland, Tennessee, and formerly of Palm Harbor, Florida, went home to be with the Lord November 30, 2011 surrounded by her immediate family and her close friend Dave Reilly at a local hospital after a brief illness. Mrs. Koutny was born at Hinkle Mountain, West Virginia on August 30, 1939 to the late Ray Merritt and Almeda Simpkins Merritt. Mrs. Koutny attended Saint Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church. She was active in Bible Studies and was passionate about sharing her love of the Lord with others. She was retired from her Antiques, Gifts and Collectables business "Garments of Praise, Juliette, Georgia." Mrs. Koutny was an expert in antiques, their origins and value. She loved flowers and became quite the master with her beautiful Roses. She was a tremendous decorator creating many of her own unique displays, especially flower arrangements. Homes of many friends and family are graced with the creations she lovingly made. Her love will be remembered through these beautiful gifts of love. Her home was frequently referred to as A Better Homes and Garden's home especially at Christmas when she turned her home into a Christmas wonderland of beauty. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her precious daughter, Linda Gail Koutny, 1978; stepfather, Charles Moss Browning, 1982; brothers Bishop Kenneth Ray Merritt 2010 and Edward Dennis Merritt 2009; paternal grandparents, Rosa Merritt and Edward Merritt; maternal grandparents, Malinda Thompson Simpkins and John Simpkins. Those left to cherish the joys she brought into their lives are daughters, Almeda Lynn Berube and husband John Berube, of Pearland, TX and Lorraine Esther Roscoe and husband Roger Edwin Roscoe of New Port Richey, FL; four grandchildren, Donnie Josephik and wife Brooke, of Pearland, TX, Glenn Josephik and fiance' Holly Henderson, of Holiday, FL; Eric Josephik of Lafayette, LA, and Jordan Almeda Berube, of Pearland, TX; great grandchildren, Preston Josephik and Parker Josephik of Pearland, TX; sisters, Rose Chapman of Yellville, Ark, Ruth Johnson and husband Bill Johnson of Chapmanville, WVA, and Carol Wiseman of Canton, GA; and brother Charles Donley Merritt of Lafayette, LA. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 2, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Saint Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 900 Clingan Ridge Dr. with Reverend Albert Sescon officiating. Interment will be in Palm Harbor, Florida. The family will receive friends Friday from 10-11 a.m. at the church prior to the service. The family requests memorials be made to one of Esther's favorite charities: American Cancer Society, http://www.cancer.org/ Catholic Charities http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/ 1-800-919-9338 or a local Human Society http://www.humanesociety.org or ASPCA http://www.aspca.org/ Grissom Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.grissomfh.net.