Merle Carleton

Merle Lewis Carleton of Birmingham, AL passed away Sunday, October 20, 2013 at age 89. Born in Sweet Water, AL on August 28, 1924, Merle met her husband, Roy, while she was working for Auburn University. After graduation, the newlyweds settled in Birmingham until they moved the family to Grove Hill, AL. Upon her husband’s death in 1996, Merle returned to Birmingham, joined Highlands United Methodist Church and became a resident of St. Martin’s in the Pines. Her life was devoted to caring for her family and her heart went out to every child she met.
Merle is survived by her son, Mark W. Carleton (Nancy) of Monroeville, AL; three daughters, Lynn Carleton Hairston (Bill) of Birmingham, AL; Sharon Carleton Boone (Gus) of Montreat, NC; and LuAnne Carleton Wilson (Wyatt) of Trussville, AL; two grandchildren, Warren Lewis Carleton of Auburn, AL and Mary Elizabeth Wilson of Trussville, AL; two sisters, Elma Lewis Moore of Montgomery, AL and Elsie Lewis Clements of Monroe, NC; sister-in-law, Jeanette Carleton Mathews of Birmingham, AL; and manynieces, nephews, and cousins. Merle was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Roy Carleton, an infant son, parents, Leo Dove Lewis and Vera Agee Lewis, four brothers, Milton Leo Lewis, Clifford Agee Lewis, William Buford Lewis and James Lamar Lewis and two sisters, Doris Lewis Isler and Clara Mae Lewis Spence. Merle’s son-in-law, the Reverend Robert A. Boone, Jr. will conduct the graveside service at the Payne’s Chapel Cemetery in Sweet Water, AL on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 1:30 pm. Prior to the service the family will receive friends at Payne’s Chapel United Methodist Church from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: United Methodist Children’s Home (www.umch.net); Friends of St. Martin’s in the Pines (4949 Montevallo Road, Birmingham, AL 35210); or Grove Hill Memorial Hospital (Grove Hill, AL 36451). Arrangements by O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home in Thomasville, AL.

All obituaries taken from the website of the corresponding funeral home unless otherwise noted.