Carl Neely Lyerly Sr.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Carl Neely Lyerly, Sr. of Woodleaf, NC on August 18, 2025. Our father was just eleven days shy of his 107th birthday. He was a member of the Abilene Church of Christ in Statesville.

Carl was born on August 29, 1918, in Woodleaf, to Robert J. and Bessie Ramsay Lyerly. His family were farmers. He remembered that his father was the first one in the area to buy a car, a T-Model Ford.

In 1936, when he was 17 years old, he joined the Navy. He was assigned to the USS Indianapolis and went on a Goodwill Tour of Latin America, visiting Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires, with President Roosevelt onboard. He received his shellback papers the same time as the President. He and his troop marched across the Golden Gate Bridge during its opening.

Carl spent three years on his first stint in the Navy. In 1939, he married our mother. Then when WWII started, the Navy called him back to serve in the South Pacific Theater. He went on to serve until the war ended.

Carl was a salesman by trade and stayed healthy and active up until a month before he died.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Drum Lyerly, son Carl Neely Lyerly Jr, grandson, Keith Lyerly, granddaughter Bridget Lyerly, Brothers Cecil, Hugh, RJ, Keith, Wayne and sisters, Ruby, Helen, Jane and Jean.  He is survived by his children Murray Lyerly, Janice Estes, and Marilyn Clements. He is survived by 11 grandchildren 21 great grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchildren. 

A funeral will be held at Corinth Church of Christ 3570 Needmore Rd., Woodleaf, NC on Saturday, August 30 at 11 AM. Following burial, a luncheon will be provided at the annex building at Abilene Church of Christ, 120 Bell Farm Rd., Statesville, NC.

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