Doris Gaines Merck

Doris Gaines Merck passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025, in Hilton Head Island, SC, at the age of 90. Known affectionately as "Dot," Doris was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who touched the lives of everyone she met.

Doris Long Gaines was born in 1934 in Pickens County, SC, during the Great Depression, an era that profoundly shaped her resilience and outlook on life. She was raised by her loving parents, Barnett and

Grace Gaines, in Liberty, SC, as the youngest of three children. Her older sister, Eleanor, 14 years her senior, became a second mother to her, and her brother, Sam, played a pivotal role in her life by introducing her to her soulmate, Lawrence Hugh Merck, also from Liberty.

Doris and Hugh shared a remarkable love story. Having known Hugh since the age of 5, Doris decided at 13 that she would one day marry him, and in 1952, her dream came true. Their union lasted 68 wonderful years until Hugh’s passing in 2020. Together, they built a life filled with love and adventure, raising three strong daughters: Gloria Jean LeSueur (Lohr), Catherine Doris Tyson (Rick), and Cynthia Leigh Duffy (Paul).

Doris was the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren: Erin Leigh, Jeb Lohr, Kelley Michelle, Joshua William, Trey Mitchell, Bret Michael, Amanda Leigh, and Janna Charlene. Her legacy extended further to 13 cherished great-grandchildren, all of whom she adored deeply.

A true matriarch, Doris was the heart of her family. While Hugh worked to provide for them, Doris managed their household with grace and determination, even as they moved 18 times across the Southeast and Midwest. Her many talents included being an excellent student, a voracious reader, a history enthusiast, an expert speller, a fantastic neighbor, and a skilled golfer. She was also a phenomenal cook, best known for her masterful pound cakes, which became a symbol of her love and hospitality.

To all who knew her, Doris was "Granny," a Southern lady through and through. She exuded kindness, warmth, and elegance, always with her nails perfectly done and her favorite jewelry adorning her. Doris had a unique ability to make everyone feel special, as if she’d known them their entire lives. Her genuine curiosity and love for hearing people’s stories meant that she never met a stranger.

Doris’s absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing her. However, her family finds comfort in knowing she is joyfully reunited with Hugh and other loved ones who went before her. Her legacy of love, kindness, and strength will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at The Preston Center at Cypress Plantation for their compassionate care of Doris, their beloved "Granny."

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Copeland Funeral Home, 1 Copeland Drive, Beaufort, SC, 29902. Doris will be interred at the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local Humane Society, a cause close to Doris’s heart.

Copeland Funeral Service is assisting the Merck Family with arrangements.