Margaret Held and Paula Merrill - Nuns - Victims in Lexington, Mississippi

Sister Margaret Held, age 68, and Sister Paula Merrill, age 68, died sometime on or before August 25, 2016, at their home in Durant, Mississippi. 

Sister Paul Merrill (L); Sister Margaret Held (R)

Rodney Sanders, age 46, of Kosciuko, Mississippi, has been charged with two counts of capital murder.

Although the motive for this tragedy is uncertain, it is believed that the two women were attacked in their home during a suspected robbery attempt. Both women were stabbed to death. Their car was stolen.

Both women worked as nurse practioners at a medical clinic in Lexington. 

Sister Paula Merrill was a member of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky. Sister Margaret Held was a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukee.

Relatives and friends of the two women describe them as women who served the

Angels of God, pray for Margaret and for Paula and
for those who have lost them. 

unserved. They were generous women, kind in spirit and dedicated to helping others. They had hearts of gold.

The clinic where the women worked served underinsured and uninsured people in the poorest county in the state. Their work as nurses dignified the poor.

They treated people with compassion, tried to raise funds to cover the medical costs of uninsured patients and tried to procure life saving prescription drugs such as insulin for those who could not afford it.

The women also tried to help out in the community by supplying books and school supplies to the needy.

Rodney Sanders is innocent unless proven guilty.

However, to the thief who killed Margaret Held and Paula Merrill, we ask this question: What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?

The families of Margaret and Paula are devastated over their sudden and tragic deaths. They will be forever mourned.

Margaret and Paula are survived by many loving comrades, friends and family members who will forever miss them.

Pray for justice for Margaret and Paula.

Thank your for your service to the community, Margaret and Paula. 

God save us from the thieves. They are killing us, Father. Amen.

Pray that Margaret and Paula are at peace and are with God. Amen.