Merrill LaFaye McBrayer Stover of Warrior, Alabama passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the age of 92, surrounded by her family. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt. There is nothing she enjoyed more than having her entire family around playing in the yard and the pool while she did her porch sitting.

LaFaye was a 1952 graduate of Warrior High School where she was a cheerleader and met the love of her life, Robert. Later, she served many years with the Warrior Alumni Association and helped plan annual reunions before she passed her job on to her daughters, but she would still help prepare letters every year.

LaFaye attended Warrior Assembly of God for over 50 years. She worked several years with Liberty Mutual Insurance before she began working at Warrior Savings Bank and then The Bank. After retiring, she continued to travel with her sister, Sondra, and took care of her family until it was time for her to be taken care of herself.

LaFaye was preceded in death by the love of her life, Robert Stover; parents, Walter and Lee Annie McBrayer; in-laws, Bill and Annie Stover; granddaughter, Lindsey; siblings, Sondra Turley, Gary McBrayer and Debra Abney; and aunt, Barbara Crowe. She is survived by her children, Mike, Cathy (Chris) Williams, and Anne (Barry) Hill; grandchildren, Brandy (Chad), Michael Delaney (Madison), Jenna, Nathan (Makayla), and Brennan (Lauren); great-grandchildren, Micah, Macie, Collins, Addi and Colton; brother, Douglas McBrayer; brother-in-law, Frank Turley; sister-in-law, Mona McBrayer; as well as several loving nieces and nephews, and her dear friend, Mary Simmons.

A visitation and public viewing will be held at Messmer Goodwin Funeral Home on the evening of Tuesday, February 24, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The following day, Mrs. Stover will lie in state from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at noon in the funeral home's chapel. Immediately following the funeral service, everyone will travel of their own accord to Watts Union Cemetery, where we will all reconvene graveside for a brief committal service prior to interment.