Claire Lee Merrill

Lee Merrill, born Claire Lee Arthur on August 2, 1935, in Marfa, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 17, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and West Texas fortitude. She was the beloved granddaughter of Brewster County pioneering residents James and Lidia Arthur of Alpine TX and the cherished only daughter of Exah and Clarence Lloyd "Dutch" Arthur of Marfa TX. Growing up in Marfa, Lee found joy at her aunt and uncle's ranch, Florence (Tia) and Charlie Hancock, where she nurtured her playful spirit by teaching lambs to jump rope and creating joyful memories with her friends. Despite facing various challenges in her early years, including a near-drowning incident at Camp Mystic in Kerrville, being dragged by a horse, foot caught in stirrup at her father's ranch, and year-long illness, her roots in Marfa and the Hancock Ranch remained a source of deep affection and pride. As a teenager she also took part as an extra in the film High Lonesome alongside stars like John Barrymore and Jack Elam. 

Lee attended Radford School for Girls in El Paso for the last two years of high school and subsequently Texas Western (now UTEP), where she became a proud member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. In 1955, she was crowned Sun Princess representing Marfa. During this time, her lifelong friendship and bond with Janel Casner became cemented through many fun and harrowing experiences.

In the summer of ‘55 the film crew and cast of Giant descended upon Marfa and endures as the talk of the town even today. Rock Hudson and James Dean lived in the house behind hers and Liz Taylor diagonally across the street in a house Tia and Charlie owned. Lee even took Dean out rabbit hunting, frankly telling him he’d better stay off the fender of the car while she was driving because Warner Brothers would sue her if he got himself killed.

While working summers at the Marfa National Bank, she met her future husband, Martin Merrill of Fort Davis who no doubt made extra banking runs for his family ranch just to see her in Marfa. Their romance led to marriage in 1963 at the First Methodist Church in Marfa, where they celebrated with friends and family. The reception was held at the Paisano Hotel.

Following graduation and earning her degree in elementary education, Lee taught third grade in Smeltertown in El Paso County alongside the Rio Grande - an experience she cherished and students she adored. But with the birth of her son, Raymond in 1965 Lee chose to take on the role as a stay-at-home mother, actively participating in his upbringing while also being a supportive partner to Martin.

During her life, Lee remained active, the family played tennis together, golfed frequently, and she also became an active member of the El Paso chapter of the PEO women's organization and made lifelong friendships there. She loved dogs and often traveled with Martin and their furry companions. Marfa was always a special destination for them, and Lee's deep connection to her hometown never wavered.

After Martin’s passing in 2017, and despite challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lee held her own in Marfa and continued to nurture her familial bonds. However, in 2021 she agreed that moving to Reston, Virginia, to live with Raymond, Silvia, and grandson Adrian was in everyone's best interest. Once there, she found joy in simple pleasures like dining with family and caring for her beloved Shih Tzu, Lita.

 Lee Merrill was preceded in death by her parents, Exah and Dutch Arthur, her husband, G. Martin Merrill, and her aunt and uncle, Florence and Charles Lesley Hancock. And Lita. She is survived by her son Raymond, his wife Silvia, and their son Adrian.

Lee will be lovingly remembered for her fun-loving spirit, her candor, her abiding love for family, friends, and her hometown, and her unwavering strength throughout her life. One thing could be said about her, is that right up until maybe six months ago, she was always good-to-go: she wanted to go wherever we were going, dining out, whatever. She truly enjoyed being social and was one of the most extroverted people you could ever know. Silvia, her daughter-in-law would say she’s a Leo through and through. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A celebration of Lee's life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Davis, 503 Front St. Fort Davis, TX.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Marfa Public Library, 115 E. Oak St., Marfa, TX 79843.