Joan Merritt Fox, 81, passed away Thursday, December 11, 2025, in Frederick, MD.

Joan was born April 28, 1944, in Mobile, AL, the third child and eldest daughter of William H. Merritt and Leonora ("Nonie") Suter Merritt Lukkar. Not long after Joan's birth, the Merritts moved to Pensacola, FL, where Joan would graduate Catholic High School (Class of 1962). She would go on to receive a Bachelor of Science from Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL and later obtained a Master of Arts from the University of West Florida (Pensacola).

A dedicated and passionate educator, Joan loved children and spent her career working for the Escambia County Public Schools, first as a classroom teacher, then as an administrator. Her most treasured time was spent as Principal at Hallmark Elementary School. Even after retiring from the public schools, she could not stop heartening young minds as she answered the call to serve as interim principal for St. Paul's Catholic School.

Joan's Catholic faith steered and enriched her life. She was a long-time parishioner and supporter of St. Paul Parish, where she spent many a volunteer hour serving several of the parish's ministries. In her spare time, Joan enjoyed photography, gardening, traveling, and spoiling her grandchildren.

Joan married her husband, James Franklin "Frank" Fox, in April 1969. The two were married for 53 years until his passing in July 2022. Joan and Frank raised two sons together and share four grandchildren. Joan relocated to Maryland in the fall of 2023 to be closer to her family.

Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her brothers, Wayne Merritt and William "Bill" Merritt and the latter's wife Maire; sister-in-law, JoAnn Schwartz and her husband Merwyn; and brother-in-law, Col. John Dalton Fox.

Joan is survived by son, James "Jake" Fox (Kristin) of Frederick, MD; son, Timothy Fox (Travis) of Canton, MI; grandchildren, Kenna, Mabel, Noah, and Milo Fox; sister, Diane (Andy) Haddock; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Merritt and Henrianne Connor Fox; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A Memorial Mass will be held 12:00noon Friday, May 29, 2026, at St. Paul Catholic Church, with a reception to follow. A funeral cortege will depart St. Paul Catholic Church at 2:00pm for a committal service to begin at 2:30pm at Barrancas National Cemetery, where Joan will be interred with her husband, Frank.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic High School (Pensacola, FL), Studer Family Children's Hospital, Ascension Sacred Heart (Pensacola, FL), or Hospice of Frederick (MD).