Merna Joyce Poteet, 75, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away Friday in Albany. She was born in Arnold, Kansas to Carl A. and Correna R. (Artz) Newland.

She moved to Oregon as a very young child. She lived in the Willamette Valley where she graduated from High School in Independence. After marrying, she moved to Southern California until moving to Sweet Home in 1975.

Merna was a member of TOPS #OR309, Gleaners of Sweet Home, and Echo 2 CB Emergency Monitoring. She taught home canning and preserves at OSU Extension Services.

She enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, farming, and reading.

Merna is survived by: her children, Juanita Grimmett, Denise Volkers, Carla Bickett, Joseph Poteet, and Jessica Volkers; siblings Anita VanDatta and Carl A. Newland Jr.; 11 grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Boyd D. Poteet, in 1995.

A private graveside service was held at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Salem.

Memorial contributions can be made in her name to the American Diabetes Association.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.