Rooted in Family, Growing Through Community
At Merry Maids of Ocala, we believe that a clean, welcoming home is at the heart of a strong community. Our owner, Fred Surgeon, has a special connection to Ocala, known as "horse country,” through business and a lifelong love for animals and nature. Fred and his wife, Anita, are the proud owners of over 35 horses, many of which were accepted as rescues and now receive excellent care as part of their extended family at Sweet Valley Ranch. Their passion for the equestrian lifestyle was one of the inspirations behind establishing a Merry Maids office in the heart of this vibrant, horse-loving community.
Since opening our Ocala location in September 2016, we have proudly served families throughout Marion County with the same dedication to care, tradition, and service that defines our work across all eight locations. As a minority business owner and North Carolina A&T State University graduate, Fred has built a family of businesses grounded in community values, environmental stewardship, and respect for nature.
Our Ocala office and all our sister locations are proudly guided by Saddie Lowry, whose over 20 years of Merry Maids experience help ensure consistency, personal attention, and excellence in every home we clean.
Giving Back Through Every Home and Every Heart
Merry Maids of Ocala is proud to be part of the Sweet Valley Ranch Gives Back Program, founded by Fred and Anita Surgeon in 2021. Through Sweet Valley Ranch, a nationally recognized 300-acre working farm home to the popular Dinosaur World attraction and more than 350 animals from five continents, our team has helped raise over $220,000 for charitable causes, including national partnerships like Habitat for Humanity. Sweet Valley Ranch welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually, offering a space where rescued horses and other animals are lovingly cared for and celebrated.
Our commitment to animals and the environment is also reflected in Fred’s leadership in rehoming over 2,000 iguanas safely after they were outlawed in Florida, offering them new lives at Sweet Valley Ranch.
Ocala’s love for horses and nature resonates deeply with the Surgeon family’s values, making our connection to this community truly personal. As a thank you to the families we serve, Ocala customers also receive special discounts for attractions and lodging at Sweet Valley Ranch’s Farmhouse Retreats.
At Merry Maids of Ocala, we do more than clean homes; we build connections, honor traditions, and invest in the spirit of a community we proudly call family.