Dr. Jeanette G. Merriweather, 83, entered rest on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10:24am in her
Augusta residence. She was born on February 18, 1943, in Lake City, Florida, the only child of the late
Mr. John Adams and Ms. Hazel Garner. She peacefully transitioned from this life, leaving behind a legacy
of compassion, scholarship, and service to others.
Dr. Merriweather devoted her life to nursing, education, and mentorship. She earned an Associate of
Science in Nursing from Lake City Community College in 1971 and continued her academic journey at
the Medical College of Georgia, earning both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1976) and Master of
Science in Nursing (1977).

She later completed a Post-Master’s Teaching Certificate from Emory University; The School of Nursing in 2006 and achieved her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Chatham University in 2009. Her doctoral capstone, Mentoring as a Retention Tool for Newly Hired Graduate
Nurses reflected her lifelong commitment to strengthening the nursing profession through mentorship.
Throughout her career, Dr. Merriweather contributed to nursing scholarship and research. Her published
works included studies on psychiatric nursing, diabetes care, and nephrology nursing, including the 2013
Nephrology Nursing Journal case study on dialysis disequilibrium syndrome. She held membership in
numerous professional organizations, including the American Nurses Association, American Nephrology
Nurses Association, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau International, and
the National League for Nursing.

Her excellence and dedication were recognized through numerous honors, including the Spirit of Nursing
Award (2011), Dean’s Awards for Achievement and Community Leadership from Georgia Regents
University College of Nursing (2013), and certification in nephrology nursing.

Dr. Merriweather was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Lake Merriweather; sons Joseph Nathaniel
Merriweather, Vincent Varnell Owens, and Rodger Dale Owens.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children Sarah Elizabeth Merriweather; Sylvester (Michelle) Owens; Angel Jeanette Owens; Nelson Fitzgerald Owens; Gregory (Michelle) Owens; Terry (Bruce) Slay; and Paula Sue Owens; a loving extended family of children including Michael (Regina) Merriweather, Gregory (Debra) Merriweather, Maurice (Abbey) Merriweather, Marcus (Joyce) Merriweather, Jackie Merriweather, and Sandra (Pat) Butler, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, and a host of family members and friends.

Dr. Jeanette G. Merriweather’s life was defined by faith, service, and an unwavering commitment to
caring for others. In her leisure time, Jeanette loved traveling, gardening, quiet moments at the beach, and
quality time with her family. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched as a nurse, educator, mentor, mother, and friend.

Public viewing and visitation will be Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Kinsey & Walton Funeral Home.

A celebration of life will be 11:00am, Friday, March 6, 2026, at Beulah Grove Baptist Church, 1434
Poplar Street, Augusta, GA 30901.

Interment will follow at Westover Memorial Park, 2601 Wheeler Road, Augusta, GA 30904.

Kinsey & Walton Funeral Home, 3618 Peach Orchard Road, Augusta, Ga. (706) 790-8858.