Retired BMA Pastor Dies

      Larry Creath Merrell, 82, of Cherokee Village, formerly of Jonesboro, passed away on Nov. 20. He surrendered to ministry in 1975 at Ridgecrest Missionary Baptist Church in Jonesboro and was ordained by Cathedral Baptist Church, where he was called to be a youth pastor. He attended Central Baptist College in Conway and Mid-South Bible College in Memphis, Tenn. He faithfully pastored churches in Arkansas, Tennessee and Louisiana for 47 years, including: Faith, Newport; Cottage Home, Jonesboro; Rose City Immanuel (Church at Willow Beach), North Little Rock; Ramsey Heights, Batesville; Valley View, Jonesboro; Grace Temple, Paragould; Lakeside, Newport; Immanuel, Jonesboro; and Trinity, Lake City.

      He served in the Army National Guard from 1959 to 1963.

      Survivors include: his wife of 61 years, Noma Carole Merrell (Neely); a son, Shaun (Yalanda) Merrell; two sisters, Cyndi (Bill) Merrell and Tammy Merrell, both of Florida; and a grandson, Hunter Merrell.

      Funeral services were held Nov. 24 at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro with Don Seat and Paul Vincent officiating. Burial followed at McDaniel Cemetery in Jonesboro, under the direction of Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro (emersonfuneralhome.com).