Merlin Lyell
Mr. Merlin Lyell, 87, of the Clayton community passed away Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Baptist Health in Paducah, Ky.
Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in the chapel of Edmaiston Mosley Funeral Home. Brother Charles Southerland will officiate. Burial will follow in Stanley Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Billy Lyell, Ricky Lyell, James Morris, Brian Morris, Chris Petty and Adam Petty.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the hour of services on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.
Merlin was born April 20, 1939, in Lauderdale County, son of the late Charlie Watson and Lois (Thurman) Lyell. He had been in the auto salvage business for many years and retired as the owner/operator of the former Midtown Transmission in Union City after 44 years in business. A pioneer in the beekeeping business, Merlin was the owner/operator of Country Boy Honey one of the largest distributors of honey in the area. Merlin was a member of Second Baptist Church in Union City and had served in the Tennessee National Guard.
He is survived by his wife, JoAnn (Nichols) Lyell of Union City; one daughter, Donna Matlock and husband, John Pezulich, of Crystal River, Fla.; one son, Billy Lyell of Union City; one stepson, David Lynch of Brentwood; two granddaughters, Lydia Matlock of Ocala, Fla., and Jordan Lynch of Puerto Rico; one brother, Marshall Lyell of the Midway community; and one sister, Brenda Arnold and husband, Chuck, of Champaign, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by six siblings, Dorothy McCorkle, Montelle Lyell, Ruby Nell “Tootsie” Leggett, Dotson Lyell, David Lyell and Lewis Wayne Lyell.
The Messenger