Merl Cogdell McClenny

Goldsboro – Mr. Merl Cogdell McClenny, 91, of the Rosewood Community, died Thursday at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.

A native of Wayne County, he was the son of the late William Josephus McClenny and Emma Cogdell McClenny. Mr. McClenny graduated from Rosewood High School, where he was played basketball, baseball and track. He attended Wake Forest University, where he played baseball and was a graduate of the Georgia Carolina Business School in Goldsboro. Mr. McClenny was a retired fertilizer agent and a charter member of the Wayne County Planning Board. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Wayne County Livestock Development Association and of the Goldsboro-Wayne County Crimestoppers. 

Mr. McClenny was an active member of Pine Forest United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Men. In 1962, he served as treasurer of Pine Forest United Methodist Church during the construction of the educational building. In 1967, he served as chairman of the Board of Trustees and of the Building Committee during the renovation of the church.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Crane officiating. Burial will follow in Willow Dale Cemetery.

Mr. McClenny is survived by his wife, Margaret Vinson McClenny; a daughter, Marie Edwards and husband, Dr. Jerry Edwards of Goldsboro; two grandsons, Liston Edwards and wife, Kelley of St. Simons Island, GA and David Edwards of New York City, NY; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sisters and brother, Mattie M. Gurley, Flonnie M. James, Lottie M. Musgrave, Vivie M. Johnson, and Arthur McClenny.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Pine Forest United Methodist Church Building Fund, 867 NC Hwy 581 South, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

The family will receive friends Saturday at Seymour Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. and other times at the home of Jerry and Marie Edwards, 102 Marie Ave (McClenny Acres), Goldsboro.