Eloyse Jean Merrell, 86, of Madisonville, Ky passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at her home.

She was born on January 13, 1933 in Madisonville to the late Modest and Roy Smith. Jean worked for the Hopkins County Schools, teaching at Waddill Avenue Elementary, then was a reading specialist/chapter 1 reading teacher at Dalton and West Broadway Schools. She helped develop Parent Involvement in Education Programs and gave presentations at many educational conferences, is listed in Who's Who in Education and was a Chamber Educator of the Year. After retirement, she became a conference speaker/writer about herbs and their uses. She served as president of the Kentucky Reading Association, president of Local and Second District Retired Teachers Association, founder of the Pennyroyal Herb Club, and served as an officer in several other organizations. Jean was also an active member of the Hopkins County Historical Society and attended Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Mortons Gap, KY.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her sisters, Sue Phillips and Carolyn Uplinger.

Survivors include her husband, Paul Merrell; daughters, Terri Bundy and Jacki Holland of Madisonville; step-daughters, Sharon Switalski of Richmond, KY and Nancy Hutchens of Nicholasville, KY; grandchildren, Paul Bundy, Alan Bundy and Casey Reynolds; step-grandchildren, Liesel Ryan, Taylor McNeil, Reeve Hutchens and Seth Hutchens; six great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; and six nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Pastor Jerry Brewer officiating. Burial will be held at a later date at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, KY.

The visitation will be from 4 p.m. until the service hour Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jean's memory to the donors charity of choice.