Mary Ellen Mathis

Mary Ellen Merchant Mathis passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026, after a short illness. She was 91 years old.

Born on March 1, 1935, in Morton, Mississippi, as the youngest child of James Isiah and Susie Bennett Merchant. Mary graduated from Morton High School in 1953 and earned an Associates degree from East Central College in Decatur, Mississippi. She met Jim ten years later while visiting Biloxi, Mississippi, with friends. They were married shortly thereafter. During their life together, Mary and Jim enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family. Shortly after being married, Mary and Jim moved to Miami for a few years, then made their home in Maitland for 48 years before moving to Indialantic in 2013. The move to Indialantic allowed Mary and Jim to be close to their grandchildren and attend countless games, parties, and life events, making memories that we will not soon forget. They enjoyed 54 years of marriage until Jim’s passing in 2017.

Mary was most proud of her family – raising two amazing children, Kyle and Kristin who she showered with love and care. Once Kristin was in elementary school, Mary enjoyed a successful career as a realtor until her retirement in 1998. Real estate was perfect for Mary as it combined her love of people and warm homes.

Although the role of Mom was her number one, she also cherished the role of daughter, sister, sister-in-law, Aunt Mary, Mimi, Mrs. M, and friend. Mary was an expert gift giver and loved seeing people enjoy things she handpicked for them. Each and every item had a story behind it.

Upon moving to Indialantic, Mary and Jim found their church home at Riverside Baptist Church. She took on a landscaping project at the church right away and wasn’t shy to volunteer Jim when help was needed. She formed many lasting friendships in a short period of time, as she never met a stranger. To show her love for her garden and nature, she was a member of Indian Harbour Beach Garden Club.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Jim Mathis, her parents James Isiah and Susie Bennett Merchant, her sisters Myrtis Merchant Jeffcoat, Sue Merchant Tatum, Bonice Merchant Austin, and her brother Howard Merchant. She is survived by her brother Bennett Merchant, her son, James Kyle (Laura) of Perry, Georgia and Kristin Ellen Fleis (Brian) of Melbourne. She was a beloved Mimi to three grandsons, Alex, Gabriel, and Beau Fleis of Melbourne, and Aunt Mary to five nieces and nine nephews.