Rebecca Whalen Merritt

Rebecca Camille Whalen Merritt, known as Becca, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2025, at the age of 77. A resident of Ocean Springs, MS, Becca was born in Memphis, Tn to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Whalen.

Becca graduated from Sacred heart High School and went on to attend Memphis College of Art, where she began to pursue her passion for fashion design. A true creative and multitalented soul, she lived an eclectic life, she enjoyed visual art, poetry and wrote a few promising but unpublished novels. She was outspoken and ahead of her time about issues like racism and women's rights, even when doing so defied the social norms of her time.

Professionally, she served as an executive assistant to several renowned heart surgeons at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. Later, she co-owned Dolphin Safety Supply in Pascagoula, Ms.

Becca was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Dan and Becky Whalen, her sisters, Dee Dee Green and Susan Wray, and her grandson Drake Smith. 

She is survived by her two daughters, Alexis Applebaum of Memphis and Katie Bowser of Core, WV., her cherished grandchildren, Ian Wallenborn, Ava Smith, Elijah Smith, Josephine Bowser, Braeden Bowser, Silas Merritt and Dylan Bowser, five great-grandchildren, sons in law Josh Bowser and Ken Applebaum and her loving siblings Danny Whalen, Leslie Butler, Donna Berry, Tina Robinson and Tim Whalen. 

A private memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis. 

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