Annie Merissa Leuty went to be with her Lord at home on July 8, 2025. She was born on February 9, 1949 at Florence Nightingale Hospital in Dallas, TX and spent her childhood in Duncanville and Lancaster and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1967. She then went on to graduate from Bible Baptist Seminary.

Merissa (Riss) was a faithful and loving wife, daughter, sister, and friend to many. She will be remembered for her kindness, her nurturing spirit, and countless lives she touched along the way. She never had a discouraging or mean word for anyone. Merissa avoided conflict and valued kindness above all. Nothing was more important to her than her church, her family, and her countless friends. She was very active in serving the Lord which started when she began as the church pianist at Rolling Hills Baptist Church in Lancaster at the age of 15. Later, she began playing at Fundamental Baptist Church in Palmer, TX where she was a faithful member. Merissa's Godly influence was used to help countless numbers of young people. She was always willing to share Jesus with them while continuously praying for them and with them. She was an immeasurable influence in their lives through Vacation Bible School, teaching Sunday School, being a youth leader, camp counselor, and Teen Ethics Coordinator just to name a few! Her love for our youth didn't stop at church. It also poured into the community as Merissa was the Assistant to the Superintendent for Red Oak ISD where she retired in 2007.

Merissa (Riss) was preceded in death by her parents, J. E. and Mildred Louise Hamessley as well as her brother, Scotty Gene Hamessley.

She is survived by her husband, Kyle Leuty of Red Oak, TX; her sister, Pam Green of Lancaster, TX; her sister, Carol Britton and husband, Steve of Duncanville, TX; her brother, Gordon Hamessley and wife, Dale of Grand Saline, TX; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Her family wishes to share a special thank you to Accent Hospice Care, her family, her church pastor, church family, and very special friends for the prayers, care, support, and compassion that was shown to them during their time of need.

A celebration of Merissa's life will be at 10:00am on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Fundamental Baptist Church in Palmer, TX with visitation beginning an hour prior to the service at 9:00am. There will be a graveside service following at 2:30pm at Justin Cemetery in Justin, TX.