A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Second Street in Natchitoches, LA. Viewing will be from 8:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow in the St. Augustine Catholic Church, Melrose, LA. Samaria Merl-Bellow, 90, passed away on September 21, 2011 at the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with family at her side. She was born to the late August and Susie Merl in Iberville, LA. She was the oldest of seven children born to this union. She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings, James, Vera, Mark, John and Edward. She is survived by her children, Anne Bellow George of Houston, TX, John Ernest Bellow of Compton, CA, Susie Merl-Brooks of Natchitoches, LA, Carolyn Merl-Arceneaux of Houston, TX, Marie Estelle Merl-Hall and Paul Merl of Natchitoches, LA; one sister, Elizabeth Merl-Clark of Houston, TX; eight grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was a member of St. Augustines Catholic Church and attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Iberville, LA. After moving to Natchitoches, she became a member of the Hold Cross Catholic Church Parish. She retired from Natchitoches Manor Nursing Home and later worked as a Greeter at Wal-Mart where she was affectionately known as Sam and enjoyed talking to all the customers. The service is under the direction of the Natchitoches Funeral Home (formerly Winnfield Funeral Home). To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ms Samaria Bellow, please visit our floral store.