07/07/2026
Bobbie Merritt, co-owner of Merritt's Bakery, passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2026, after a long battle with dementia. She was 72 years old and passed away in her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Bobbie was born in Tulsa to Floyd and Ella Jane Stewart. She grew up in West Tulsa and graduated from Daniel Webster High School in 1972. Bobbie was a ballet dancer, a cheerleader, and an excellent student.
Bobbie met the love of her life, Larry, while working at Looboyle during high school. They were married in August 1972 and were blessed with three children.
In September 1979, Bobbie and Larry purchased a small cake shop called The Cake Box. Bobbie had taken cake decorating classes, and Larry had an entrepreneurial spirit. Together, they decided to give it a try, renaming the business Merritt's Cake Box Bakery. Over the next several decades, they grew both their family and their business.
Bobbie was a featured speaker at bakery conventions across the United States. She generously shared her skills as a cake decorator with many aspiring bakery owners. The Merritt family has always been actively involved in the Retail Bakers of America (RBA) and the Greater Southwest Retail Bakers Association (GSWRBA). Today, her son, Christian, carries on the family business.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Larry. She is survived by her children: Christian; Earon and her husband, Patrick Cunningham; and Michael. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Greyson, Joseph, Thatcher, and Elanor Merritt; Hannah LeVasseur and Molly Cunningham; and Evelyn, Samuel, and Tessa Merritt.
A funeral service will be held for Bobbie on Thursday, July 9, at 10:30 AM at Moore Southlawn.
