Mr. Joe Mac Merrell, of Elkton, Tenn., passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2015, in Fayetteville, Tenn., following a lengthy illness. He was 85.
He is preceded in death by his parents, David Harris and Sarah Reviea Merrell, and his sister, Helen Merrell Currin.
Joe was born Oct. 4, 1930, in the Bunker Hill Community of Giles County, Tenn. After graduating from Beech Hill High School, he joined the United States Army. He married Jeanene Bass Merrell on June 6, 1954. After earning a Teaching Degree from Middle Tennessee State University, Joe taught at Elkton High School for 29 years. He was an active member and Deacon at Elkton Baptist Church. He also served as Music Director at the church for 30 years. Joe loved music, especially the smooth four-part harmony that came from quartet singing. He was a member of the Gideon’s International. Joe loved to garden, and he especially enjoyed sharing the bounty with friends and family. His garden was always the prettiest around. He raised cattle on the family farm until he was in his 70s. His favorite hobbies in his early years were training dogs and quail hunting. He helped establish the Giles County Quail Hunters Association.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Jeanene; a son, Greg Merrell and wife Jackie of Ardmore; a grandson, Ben Rolin and wife Mari-Anne of Elkton; a great grandson, Wyatt Rolin of Elkton; a nephew, Barry Currin and wife Kim of Cleveland; and, a great nephew Grant Currin, also of Cleveland.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Jan. 9, from 10 a.m., until 1 p.m., with the funeral at 1 p.m., at Elkton Baptist Church, Elkton, TN. Interment will be at Giles Memory Gardens, Pulaski, TN.
Bennett-May-Giles County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements for Joe Mac Merrell.
