Merle M. Hoggard, 85, passed away July 25, 2024. Merle was born on May 27, 1939, in Blacksburg, VA to Philip and Evelyn Mahaney. She was a graduate of Blacksburg High School and attended Virginia Tech where she met and married Walter C. Hoggard. Both have been Hampton residents since the late 50's. She volunteered for Prevention of Blindness and did vision screening for twenty years for the Hampton City School system in all elementary schools. She enjoyed listening to local music and traveling extensively with her friends. She was an avid gardener and a devoted wife and mother. She was also a member of First Presbyterian Church of Hampton.

Merle was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Walter C. Hoggard and son, Walter C. Hoggard, II. She is survived by her son, Chris Hoggard and wife, Teresa; daughter Michelle H. Walters and husband, Erik; granddaughter Noelle E. Walters; brother Dr. Philip Mahaney and wife, Liz; sister Janice Leach, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 A.M. and a funeral service will be held at noon Friday, August 2nd at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Ave followed by burial at Parklawn Memorial Park

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to PreventBlindness.org