Mary Leona Merrill Foster, 86, of Sulphur Springs, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2013. She was born on December 5, 1926 in Dallas to Robert W. Merrill and Lean Hannah Buster Merrill. She graduated from Pilot Point High School and The University of North Texas. She was retired from The University of North Texas as the Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Pilot Point Community Cemetery.

Leona is survived by her niece, Ellen Russell and husband Glen; nephews, John Rollins and wife Becci, Joel Rollins and wife Denise, and Jim Rollins and wife Linda; brother-in-law, J.T. Rollins; and 10 grand nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her sister, Winnifred Merrill Rollins, her parents, and her husband.