Irene Merritt Cely

Irene Merritt Cely
- Powdersville, S.C.

Irene Carolyn Merritt Cely, 97, of 701 Cely Road, Easley, died Wednesday, December 12, 2007, at her home after an extended illness.

Born December 18, 1909 at the Merritt Homeplace in Powdersville, Mrs. Cely was a daughter of the late Marvin Washington and Carolyn Smith Merritt. She was a 1931 graduate of Lander College with a B.A. Degree in Education.

Mrs. Cely was an educator for a total of thirty-five years. She taught at Carolina High School and Wren High School. Also, she was Principal of Airy Springs Elementary School and Concrete Middle School.

Mrs. Cely was a lifelong member of Bethesda United Methodist Church, having joined in 1925. She taught the Irene Cely Sunday School Class (Young Couples) for forty years and she sang in the choir for forty years. Also, Mrs. Cely was secretary of the Administrative Board at the church for many years. She served on the Building Committees for the church's first parsonage, also for the improvement of the church's sanctuary and for the present Family Life Center. A charter member of the Methodist Women (Guild at that time), she served as President of the Methodist Women at different intervals.

As a volunteer for Anderson County Meals on Wheels, Mrs. Cely delivered meals for fifteen years. She was a member of the S.C. Retired Teachers Association in Anderson County and the National Education Association.

Surviving are one son, Joseph Eugene Cely and his wife, Barbara, of Florence; one daughter-in-law, Cecile Powell Cely, of Seneca; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Mrs. Cely was predeceased by her husband, Marvin Singleton Cely; a son, Marvin Singleton Cely, Jr. ; five brothers, Shafter, Palmer, Eugene, Woodrow and Bryan Merritt; five sisters, Zora Wigington, Beatrice Merritt, Lona Cely, Mable Wilson, and Addie Wilson. She was the last surviving member of the Merritt family.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Bethesda United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Escort of Honor will be the Irene Cely Sunday School Class, the United Methodist Women, and the Fellowship Sunday School Class.

Visitation will be from noon until 2:00 P.M. Saturday at the church prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethesda United Methodist Church, 516 Piedmont Road, Easley, S.C. 29642.

Family members are at their respective homes.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road who is assisting the family.