Mrs. Merle Hays Prosser, 96, of Mansfield, passed away Jan. 10. She was a member of Luther Hays Presbyterian, in Hayston, both named after her forbears. Mrs. Prosser and her husband Anson, owned and operated Prosser Variety Store, in Mansfield, for more than 25 years. She enjoyed reading, writing, solving crossword puzzles, meeting new people and visiting with old friends when they came into their store.

She enjoyed writing poems and stories for church programs, and stories based on her childhood experiences. She loved her family dearly, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband Anson A. Prosser Sr., and her parents Ernest and Olivia Hays.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Priscilla and William Kelly of Kenner, La.; son and daughter-in-law Randy and Gaye Prosser of Social Circle; grandchildren Paige Hicks of Nicholson, Susan Kusch of Lilburn, Laura Wirtz of Lisle, Ill., Rebecca Clegorne of Christiansburg, Va., Catherine Powell of Mauldin, S.C.; great-grandchildren Caroline Hicks, Olivia Hicks, Isabella Hicks, Reagan Hicks, all of Nicholson; Zachary Kusch, Will Kusch, both of Lilburn; Adelaide Powell, Amelia Powell, both of Mauldin S.C.; Logan Clegorne of Christiansburg, Va.; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. Prosser was held yesterday, Jan. 12, at the Chapel of Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, with Steve Aldridge officiating, and interment following in Carmel Cemetery, in Mansfield. The family received friends at the funeral home Friday, Jan. 11.