Mercer Motley

Mercer Clyde Motley, Jr., 98, died January 11, 2023, at Roman Eagle Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Danville, VA, where he received excellent care since February 2022. Before Roman Eagle, he spent six years at Riverside Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. His home was in Providence, NC.

Mercer was born March 31, 1924, in Danville, VA, the son of the late Mercer Clyde Motley, Sr. and Effie Gertrude Fuller Motley. His family home was on Gray Street where he built two greenhouses for his mother to raise plants. Years later, Mercer added a shop building on the property for his florist business.

After attending Danville schools, he graduated from George Washington High School in 1942 and enrolled in Averett College, as one of six men in a girls’ school. At Averett, Mercer met his future wife, Marjorie Denman Westerfield Motley, who married him after World War Il ended. Mercer was drafted into the United States Army in March 1943 and served as a Weather Observer—6"" Air Force Caribbean Theater of Operations. After serving in Panama and Guatemala, Sergeant Motley was honorably discharged from military service in February 1946.

Then Mercer entered Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, VA, to further his college studies. He married Marjorie on December 28, 1947, and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1949 with a B.S. degree in Horticulture. Mercer returned to Danville, VA, and operated Motley Florist for 50 years. He will be remembered for his beautiful floral designs. He enjoyed people and was known for his positive outlook on life and great sense of humor.

Mercer held many offices in the Lions Club including District Governor of 24-B. He established the Morning Lions Club in Danville. He was always active in churches where he sang in choirs, played handbells, served as a youth group advisor, was ordained as a Deacon and an Elder, and participated on a number of committees. Currently, Mercer was a member of West Main Baptist Church where he especially enjoyed the Men’s Bible Class and trips with the ECHO group.

Mercer is survived by one daughter, Lynne Motley Booker, and her husband, William J. Booker, Jr., of Danville, VA; two granddaughters, Christy Hoffman and husband, Eduardo Rojas, of Buffalo, NY, and Tiffany Alnefelt and husband, Patrik, of Stockholm, Sweden. His three great-grandchildren—Caroline Rojas, Zoë Alnefelt, and Max Alnefelt—provided much joy in his life through cards, pictures, video calls, and visits.

In addition to his parents, Mercer was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie; his brother, Everett Lyle Motley; his sister, Marguerite Claire Motley; a daughter, Martha Leigh Motley Norton, and a granddaughter, Emily Alice Norton. He remained in contact with Leigh’s husband, Keith Norton, and family.

A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2023, at 2:00 PM, at Townes Funeral Home, with the Rev. Paul Johnson and the Rev. Drew Herring conducting the service. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery with military honors conducted by the United States Army. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, prior to the service, from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memory Wall at www.townesfuneralhome.com The Motley family has entrusted arrangements to Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main St., Danville, VA, 434-793-1211.