Carlton Eugene Lyerly

Carlton Eugene Lyerly, 82, passed away at the McLeod Hospice House surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, July 6, 2019, following a short illness. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at 4:00 PM in First Free Will Baptist Church, 2624 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC.The family will have a private burial at Florence Memorial Gardens.The family will receive friends in the church Welcome Center of First Free Will Baptist Church from 3:00 – 3:45 PM.Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home is assisting the family. Mr. Lyerly was born in Lake City, SC, January 2, 1937, a son of the late Eugene Lyerly and Beatrice Cameron Lyerly. He was married to the late Margaret Poston Lyerly for fifty-four years until her death. Mr. Lyerly graduated from Lake City High School in 1956 and then joined the US Marine Corps.After boot camp graduation at Parris Island, SC, he was based at Camp Lejeune, NC.He spent most of his time serving his country on ships in the Middle East and Europe, being honorably discharged in 1959.Mr. Lyerly was employed with DuPont of Florence and retired in February, 1998.After retirement, he returned to his passion of traveling and enjoyed sightseeing on many trips with his wife, as well as taking his grandchildren on many adventures.His wish was to see all fifty states, which he did, as well as touring abroad. His favorite places were Israel, New Zealand, Australia and Alaska. Mr. Lyerly put God first, followed by his family. He was the epitome of a faithful, loving, Christian husband, father and “Big Daddy” and cherished time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.He made his profession of faith in 1969 during a revival service with the late Rev. Paul Clayton at Hillside Free Will Baptist Church in Florence. He later became a member of First Free Will Baptist Church in 1971, and served as a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Pulpit Committee, a member of the Men’s Sunday School Class, as well as being a devoted part of the Men’s Prayer Breakfast. Surviving are a daughter, Julie L. (Glenn) Ham of Effingham, son-in-law, Matt Tyler of Florence, four grandchildren, Tyler (Ariel) Ham of Nashville, TN, Jesslyn (Morgan) Armstrong of Fort Mill, SC,Alana (Ben) Dietrich of Columbia, SC, and Austin Tyler of Florence,two brothers, Ronald Lyerly and Larry Lyerly both of Lake City, three sisters, Nancy (Tom) Long of Effingham, Bonnie (Allen) Coward of Coward, Cheryl (Russell) Cox of Florence, and a large number of nieces, nephews, and a special friend, Shelby Kelley of Florence. Mr. Lyerly was predeceased in death by his parents, his wife, Margaret Poston Lyerly (date deceased May 10, 2015), and one daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) L. Tyler (date deceased March 24, 2008). Special thanks to Dr. Gerald C. Jebaily, Dr. Rajesh Bajaj, and McLeod Hospice and their staffs. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund, 2624 West Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29501.