Merle Peek Dryman of Franklin, passed away May 29, 2010 at Mountain Trace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born September 16, 1914 in Macon County and was the daughter of I.T. and Charlotte Holland Peek. She was marred for 66 years to Prelo J. Dryman who died in 2002 and was also preceded in death by sisters, Velma Newton, Alba Franks and Meda Bryson and grandson, Richie Dryman. She is survived by sons, Larry Dryman and wife Ann of Franklin and Richard Dryman and wife Charlotte of Greensboro, NC as well as four grandchildren, one great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.

Merle earned Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Education from Western Carolina University and taught in Macon County schools for 33 years. Her schools included Scaly Mountain, Pine Grove, Cowee, East Franklin and Franklin Elementary. She will be remembered by many former students as one of their favorite teachers.
She was Coordinator of Franklin Beautification for many years. She took pride in her many projects which included: Angel Community Hospital Landscaping (1977), Franklin Clock Tower (1983), Nativity Scene (1987), Memory Lane (1990), and she was instrumental in the planting of dogwoods and burning bushes along the Franklin By-Pass, which was named the Merle Dryman Parkway in 1997.
She was a longtime member of the Macon Co. Retired Teachers Association, Business and Professional Women’s Club and served as President in 1967; Alpha Iotla Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Honor Society of women teachers and served as president 1972-1974; a member for 67 years in Nequassa Chapter No. 43 Order of Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron in 1960; Franklin Garden Club and was president in 1980 and was inducted as Life Member in the Garden Club of North Carolina in 1993.
She was the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1978 and 1990, elected Franklin Alderman in 1993, and was Grand Marshall of the Franklin Christmas Parade in 1999.
Merle attended Franklin First Baptist Church and was a Sunday School teacher and choir member for many years.

Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. June 5, 2010 in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Jim Dusek and Rev. Robert Dryman will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Nieces and nephews will serve as Pallbearers.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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