Amanda Victoria Merritt, 42, of Hudson, entered her heavenly home on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on July 12, 1983 in Cumberland County to Radames and Alice Darlene Santiago. A child of eight, Victoria loved having a big family and surrounding herself with siblings, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins! Three years after Richard and Victoria married, they prayed in faith for another seven years before being blessed with beautiful Aspen and Jude. Although a gifted teacher in several schools throughout NC, Victoria resigned in order to dedicate her time to raising her children. She was the type of mom who never wanted to miss

a single thing in her kids' lives and took daily pictures to prove it! After Aspen and Jude began school, Victoria went back to work at Hudson Elementary School before being forced to resign due to recent illness.

Victoria loved Jesus more than life! She cherished her church family at Christ Alive Church in Newton and held a prayer group at her home every month so that friends could come and spend time abiding in the presence of the Lord. She was a vivacious social butterfly and whenever you saw her, she was always talking and laughing with that big, beautiful smile. More than anything, Victoria wanted everyone to know that Jesus was the reason behind the joy in her life-- that they might know Him also. Her life was His in every way. She supported missions, feeding orphans, and a charity school in Liberia, Africa. Her undeterred faith was a marvel to all who knew her story and inspired faith in all of us to believe that the impossible IS possible! Although there is a huge hole in our hearts, we take comfort in knowing that Victoria is Victorious-- fully healed and wholly restored. The butterfly has emerged!

She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents.

Those left to cherish her memory are:

Husband of 19 years: Richard Merritt of the home

Son: Alan Jude Merritt of Hudson

Daughter: Aspen Hope Merritt of Hudson

Parents: Radames and Darlene Santiago of Hope Mills, NC

Brothers: Matthew Santiago and wife Amber of Minneapolis

Dylan Santiago and wife Valerie of Fayetteville

Vadim Santiago and wife Destiny of Fayetteville

Sisters: Juana Streets and husband Terry of Hope Mills

Himilce Phelps and husband Nathan of Lenoir

Marina Hodgson and husband Ryan of Benson

Olga Collins and husband Zack of Greenville

And a host of nieces and nephews

A service to celebrate Victoria's life will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Alive Church, 1549 Southwest Blvd., Newton. Reverend Mark Ivey will officiate. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir at approximately 4:00pm. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at Christ Alive Church. Those serving as pallbearers will be Terry Lee Streets III, Terry Streets Jr., Daniel Streets, Elon Phelps, Asher Phelps, and Nathan Phelps.

Memorials may be made to Light Academy Model School in Liberia Africa, c/o Raise Your Hand Foundation,

https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/raiseyourhandfoundation

Condolences may be sent to the Merritt family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com

The Merritt family is in the care of Bennett Funeral Service, 7878 NC Hwy 16, Newton, 828-465-2111