A progressive
and independent thinker, “Miss Clinton of 1963” adopted the
“public service” ideals of pageantry with sincerity and panache.
Feeling it more of a duty than a privilege, she “took her turn”
serving three terms, “one for each daughter,” as President of
the Clinton PTA.
As the “Silver
Anniversary Poultry Cooking Queen,” a title she earned
competitively, Merl toured Arkansas as a spokesperson for the
Arkansas poultry industry. “I learned how to be a good public
representative of something I cared about,” she recalled of the
experience.
Additionally,
Merl has served the community by chairing the American Heart
Association, as treasurer for the Van Buren County Library, as
president of the Clinton Business and Professional Women, and as
president of the Jaycettes, having earned acknowledgement for
her dedicated volunteerism from the State of Arkansas.
 Founder
of the Friends of Miss Rodeo Arkansas, Merl led the statewide
fundraising parade which enabled rodeo pageantry winners to
cover sometimes extraordinary travel and personal appearance
costs related to representing the “wholesome family values”
inherent to the rodeo community at regional and national events.
“I’ve always
been the type of person that, when you need money and you don’t
have it, you find a way to earn it,” she said of her approach to
the challenge, noting that a mainstay of her annual non-profit
fundraising endeavor was the production of an income generating
dinner-dance. “You have to give if you want to receive,” she
smiled, commenting that you also have to be good at balancing
the books.
Merl’s skill
with accounting, networking, administration, connecting with
people, sharing information and public relations proficiency,
blossomed in commercial directions as the long-term ownership
and successful management of Furniture Mart, Gifts Galore, and
SS Western Wear in Clinton.
Her
longstanding service as Chair of the Van Buren County Chapter of
the American Red Cross made her responsible for coordinating
relief services throughout Clinton and surrounding communities
during the devastating 1982 flood and also after the tornado
struck Southside.
In 2008, when a killer tornado
struck at the heart of Clinton, Merl's own home was demolished,
however she worked through the tragedy.
And her
election as City of Clinton Clerk in 2000, beyond vesting her with the
standard Recorder/Treasurer responsibilities incumbent to the
post, made her a key player in the reorganization of city
recordkeeping and the transitioning of city offices to their
present location.
“The past
eight years have brought many changes that were requested by the
citizens,” Merl, who is a member in good standing of the
International Institute of Municipal Clerks Association and
served on the mentor committee of the Arkansas City Clerks,
Recorders and Treasurers Association, acknowledged. “And my
priority continues to be serving all citizens through municipal
government.”
In addition to
her Recorder/Treasurer work, Merl is active in the community,
collaboratively participating with various civic programs. She
has earned formal certification for Municipal Clerk, she is
currently working toward her Master Municipal Clerk  certification
through the University of Arkansas.
“You give up a
lot of personal time doing public service,” Merl reflected. “You
have to be totally dedicated to keeping the older values that we
all strive for alive. And you have to want to promote your
community. The love of it has to be in your heart.”
At right, Merl Eoff (on the right), was
instrumental in coordinating the plethora of activities that
culminated as the 125th Anniversary Celebration of the City of Clinton, at
festivities held August 14, 2004.
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