Lloyd Moore Merchant, Sr., 86, of 59 Mt. Zion Drive, Eagle Rock, died on Monday, March 2, 2026 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem.
Lloyd was born March 28, 1939 in Gala to the late William Gordon and Evelyn Moore Merchant. He served in the United States Army and was previously an operator at Hercules of Covington for over 20 years before accepting a position with the Radford Arsenal, retiring as a mixer in the Nitro Department. He was a member of Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church, enjoyed gardening and woodworking, and loved animals.
Lloyd is survived by his loving, devoted wife of over 65 years, Rose Marie Brown Merchant of Eagle Rock; three daughters, Evelyn Graham (Terrence) of Suffolk, Dawn Wilson (E.C.) of Chesterfield, and Leslie Merchant of Roanoke; two sons, Lloyd Merchant, Jr. (Amelia) of Eagle Rock and Christopher Merchant (Monique) of Brandon, Fla.; and nine grandchildren, Daniel Merchant, Devon Oakley, Ian Oakley, Janiah Merchant, Mekayla Wilson, Adrian Merchant, Mekhi Wilson, Josiah Merchant, and Mehloni Wilson.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 11 a.m. in Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Gala, with the Rev. David Halsey and the Rev. Jerome Bonds officiating. Interment followed in Rising Mt. Zion Cemetery, with military rites conducted at the graveside by members of the United States Army. Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, handled arrangements.
