Clyde Reed Merrell

Clyde Reed Merrell, 95, of 45 Cathey Road, Candler, died Thursday, November 28, 2002, at his home. Mr. Merrell was born in Buncombe County and was a son of the late Joseph Andrew and Amanda Jane Reed Merrell. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Marie Davis Merrell, by a son, Steve Merrell, and by four brothers and six sisters. He attended Christ School on an athletic scholarship and excelled in baseball and basketball. In 1927 he was honored as the school’s baseball player of the year. He retired from American Enka in 1972 and more recently worked for the State of North Carolina at the Farmer’s Market for 19 years. At the time of his retirement from the market he was recognized as being North Carolina’s oldest state employee. He was a member and former deacon of Pole Creek Baptist Church and was also a member of the Haywood County Fox Hunters Association. He formerly coached little league baseball and played and coached industrial league baseball. He was a member of the NC Officials and Umpires Association. Surviving are a daughter, Annette Merrell of Asheville; a son Mike Merrell of Candler; three grandchildren Gary McClure of Charlotte, Sally McClure Waters of Salisbury and Scott Merrell of Asheville and a step-grandson Nick Leatherwood of Cullowhee. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Monday at Pole Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Dennis Thurman and John T. Tiller officiating. Burial will be at Snow Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery. His family will receive friends from 4 - 6 pm Sunday at Groce Funeral home on Patton Avenue and request that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to WNC Alzheimers Association, 3 Louisiana Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806.