Frances Margaret Hische Merritt, 84, of St. Francisville, La., died Feb. 7, 2018 after a long and fruitful life. Born Sept. 8, 1933 in Knoxville, Tenn., to Harry L. Hische and Grace Obaugh Hische, Frances and her sister Nan moved around as children but considered Galveston, where they graduated from Ball High School, as their home. Not long after graduation, Frances married Warren Franklin ‘Skeeter’ Merritt Jr.