Jessica Rae Meerdter

Jessica Rae Meerdter nee Grimes, an accomplished and well-respected social worker, serving the community of Carroll County Maryland, passed away peacefully at UMPC, York after a lengthy illness. Born October 24, 1981, in Baltimore County, MD she was the daughter of Julia Batterden Grimes and the late Charles E. Grimes. She was the loving wife of Joseph C. Meerdter for 20 years.

Raised in Carroll County Maryland, Jess was a graduate of Westminster High School in 1999. Jess attended Western Maryland College earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree Cum Laude in 2003. Jess continued her academic education at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, earning the degree of Master of Social Work in 2004 as well as earning a license for clinical Social Work.

Jess worked as a dedicated social worker for 15 years, working as an advocate for children across Carroll County Maryland. Jess became a supervisor for Child Protective Services in 2016. Her passion was the protection and advocacy of children and provided an exceptional level of care and dedication to children of abuse and neglect.

Jess was a loving devoted daughter to her Mother Julia Grimes, a dedicated mother to Ana, and a loving wife to Joseph. Jessica was talented beyond her work with the state of Maryland. Jessica was a superior singer, a talented writer, and enjoyed crafting, cooking, and decorating. She enjoyed camping with her family at Ole Mink Farm Recreation Resort, and most recently at Tuckahoe Acres in Dagsboro, DE. Jessica, like her father, adored cutting-edge technology, and enjoyed an eclectic musical fondness spanning from Tori Amos and Ani DiFranco to Bad Bunny and Zara Larsson.

Surviving, in addition to her beloved husband Joe, are her daughter, Juliana Grace Meerdter, her mother and best friend Julia Grimes and nephew Connor Haj. She is additionally survived by sister-in-law Sara Lynch and nieces Esme and Raya Lynch, and brother-in-law James Meerdter and sister-in-law Melissa Meerdter and niece Nora Meerdter. She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles. and cousins.

She was predeceased by her father Charles Edward Grimes and her brother Mathew Grimes.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 136 E. Baltimore St. Taneytown, MD. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like friends and family to make a donation to a charity of their choosing.