Obituary of Loryn Yates Atwell

Loryn Yates Atwell was born on May 20, 1932 in Crail Hope, Kentucky to the late Thurman Basil Atwell and Oma Dee Jefferies Atwell. He was one of three siblings born to this family. On September 30, 1955, Loryn married the love of his life Virginia Lee Lawrence. They started a home and raised three daughters, Wynona, Melinda, and Audrey. Just being around Loryn and Virginia, you knew they had a great love for each other. They shared forty-nine years together, on November 1, 2004, Virginia passed away. Besides his wife and parents; brother, Luther Atwell, and sister, Avis Atwell Edwards also preceded Loryn in death. Loryn came to Lafayette in the early 50s while working the pipeline. He boarded with Mrs. Gertie White and later Loryn and his parents lived on Meador Drive. They ran a music store located off the square. He had many various careers during his life. Loryn worked the pipe line, did construction work, drove a truck for Dennis White, was a lineman for North Central Telephone, and worked as a broadcaster for WEEN radio. He ran a record manufacturing plant, was a member of the Tennessee Harmoneers, and had a recording studio. Loryn became a fire chief for the Lafayette Fire Department in 1974 of which he had been a member since 1953 and this became a full time job that he stayed in until 1999. He retired after serving with the fire department for a total of forty six years and was chief for 25 of those years. Loryn was a member of the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association and president in 1989. He served on the Lafayette City Council 1968-1972 and was appointed to the council in 2003, ran again and served until this last May. Loryn was a member of the Macon County Board of Education from 1982-2000. He also served on the Cordell Hull Board of Directors and was a member of the Macon County RAD committee. Beyond all his accomplishments, the most important was when Loryn was saved in 1943, as a young boy at Seven Springs Church in Metcalfe County, Kentucky. Later in 1965, Loryn joined Lafayette Missionary Baptist Church where he was ordained a Deacon in 1972. He served as clerk from 1968 through 1999 and remained a very dedicated member. Loryn truly loved his church and gospel music. He was such a great inspiration and asset to the community. Although, Loryn had many irons in the fire, his family always came first. The love and pride for his family could be felt, when Loryn talked about them. On Monday, September 10, 2012, the Lord called him home. Loryn and Virginia are together again enjoying Heaven's many wonders. His family, friends, and the surrounding communities will truly be lost without Loryn, but our loss is Heavens gain. Loryn is survived by, Daughters, Wynona (Eddy) Clayborne, and Audrey (Terry) Howser all of Haysville Community in Macon County, TN, and Melinda (Jeff) Downing of Fountain Run, KY, Grandchildren, Wes (Whitney) Clayborne, Orry Clayborne, Clara Howser, and Jerryn Howser all of Haysville Community in Macon County, TN, Jenna Downing (Jeremy)Yokley, and Will (Beverly) Downing all of Fountain Run, KY, Great grandchildren, Gavin and Greenley Clayborne, and Hallie and Hannah Yokley, and Special Friend, Jonell Deering. Funeral services for Mr. Loryn Yates Atwell were conducted Friday at 1 pm from the Lafayette Missionary Baptist Church with Elder Ricky Wilson and Elder Don Curtis officiating. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were the Lafayette Police Department, Lafayette Fire Department, and the Deacons of Lafayette Missionary Baptist Church. Eddie Clayborne, Jeff Downing, Terry Howser, Wes Clayborne, Orry Clayborne,Will Downing, Jerryn Howser, and Jeremy Yokely served as Active Pallbearers. Interment followed in the Haysville Cemetery. Alexander Funeral Home, Directors, in charge of arrangements. (615)666-2189 or www.alexanderfh.com