A memorial service has been set for Dr. Judy Miles Merritt, the longtime president of Jefferson State Community College, who died on Sunday.

Merritt headed Jeff State starting in 1979. She was on the school’s staff as counselor of admissions when it first opened (as Jefferson State Junior College) in 1965. She was away from the campus since that time only for a four-year period when she worked at Florida International University.

Gov. Fob James brought Merritt back from FIU when he appointed her as president — the first female college president in the state.

During her presidency, Jeff State grew rapidly, and now has campuses in Hoover, Pell City and Clanton. In particular, its Shelby-Hoover campus now serves more than 5,000 students, and more than 14,000 students are enrolled this academic year in the combined system.

Merritt also served on the board of directors of several corporations, most often being the first woman on those boards. The list includes the former SouthTrust Bank (since merged into Wells Fargo Bank) and Energen Corporation, where she served until her death.

Merritt was also the first female chair of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, and served in numerous other civic positions.

Merritt stepped down as president of Jeff State on June 30 of this year. She died at her home in Chelsea at age 71. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas E. Merritt Jr.

The memorial service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Health Sciences Building at Jefferson State’s Hoover Campus, located at 4600 Valleydale Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Judy’s memory can be made to the Jefferson State Community College Foundation and sent to Carolyn Densmore, 6978 Parc Brook Lane, Trussville, AL 35173.