Letha Ophellia Steptoe, age 58, of Whispering Pines, NC died Monday April 25th, 2016 at First Health of the Carolinas in West End, NC after an extended illness. She was a native of Coffee County and was the daughter of the late Rev. Earl Merritt and Annie Elizabeth Lott Merritt.

Survivors include her husband of 39 years Billy Steptoe, two daughters Amber Steptoe and Anna Taylor (Jayson) of Newnan, Ga., two brothers Rev. Alvin Merritt (Tammy) of Hazlehurst, Ga. and Wesley Merritt (Jana) of Alma, Ga. and two grandchildren Harper Goodman and Carlisle Taylor.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday April 30th at 2:00 PM at New Vision Congregational Methodist Church with Rev. Alvin Merritt and Rev. RB Gaskins officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be carried to the church at 1:00 PM Saturday to lie in state. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home Friday evening from 6 to 9 PM.

Active pallbearers will be Jayson Taylor, Jeff Goodman, Brent and Brandon Merritt, Chad Lee, and Andy Dixon. All others in attendance will be considered honorary pallbearers.

Crosby Funeral Home is in charge of all the arrangements.