Family will receive friends on Sunday, July 26th, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. until time of service at 5:00 p.m. at The Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith, 1200 Brentnell Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219. Entombment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Livestream will begin at 5:00 p.m.

 

OBITUARY FOR EVANGELIST LILLIAN EVONNE MERCHANT 

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." – II Timothy 4:7

On April 12, 1937, God blessed Sam and Nellie (Watson) Williams with the birth of their precious daughter, Lillian Evonne Williams, in Columbus, Ohio. She was one of ten children born into a close-knit family where faith, love, and perseverance were deeply rooted. From an early age, Lillian possessed a gentle spirit, a warm smile, and a servant's heart that would become the hallmark of her life's journey.

Lillian received her education through the Columbus Public Schools and graduated from Central High School. While attending Central, she excelled both academically and socially, participating in basketball and proudly playing the clarinet in the school's marching band. Even in her youth, her discipline, determination, and commitment to excellence were evident. She would later continue her education at Bliss College and M.E.T.S.

God's divine plan for Lillian's life included a beautiful love story. At the tender age of ten, she met Lloyd Gene Merchant while living in “Fly Town” and attending Macedonia Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend B. L. Brantley. Together they sang in the Junior and Chancellor Choirs, and over the years, their childhood friendship blossomed into a lifelong covenant of love. On June 17, 1955, they were united in holy matrimony, and from this blessed union came three precious children: Evonne, Toni Renee, and Lloyd Gene Merchant, Jr. Together, Lillian and Lloyd built a home centered on faith, love, and unwavering devotion to family.

In addition to caring for her family, Lillian was an accomplished and gifted woman. She was an active member of the distinguished Socialettes Club, a respected organization of African American women devoted to philanthropy, charitable works, fundraising, and community service. She was also a talented seamstress whose creativity blessed her family with beautifully handcrafted garments made with love and care.

In 1962, Lillian began her professional career as a Contract Specialist with the Defense Construction Supply Center (DCSC). Through diligence, integrity, and exceptional work ethic, she faithfully served the United States Government for thirty-two years before retiring. During her years of employment, she also became an accomplished bowler as a member of DCSC's competitive team, "The Jet Set" earning numerous trophies and awards that reflected both her skill and competitive spirit.

While God richly blessed Lillian's home and career, He was also preparing her for a greater calling. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Lord began drawing members of the Williams family into the Apostolic faith. Her beloved brother James Williams and sister, Ethel Conley, was among the first to embrace the Apostolic doctrine through The Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith under Pastor Karl F. Smith. In 1973, under the pastorate of Elder Ernest Hardy, Lillian and Lloyd answered God's call and united with The Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith.

There, Lillian experienced the infilling of the precious gift of the Holy Ghost with the biblical evidence of speaking in other tongues. That life-changing experience marked the beginning of a ministry that would touch countless lives for decades to come. She faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher, sang in both the Gospel Choir and Senior Choir, labored as a faithful altar worker, and wholeheartedly accepted God's call into the ministry. She was subsequently ordained through the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and dedicated herself completely to the work of the Kingdom.

The hand of God rested mightily upon Evangelist Merchant. The mantle of evangelism upon her life was unmistakable, and she proclaimed the Gospel with boldness, compassion, and Holy Ghost conviction throughout the Ohio District Council and churches across the Midwest. As a gifted altar worker, she prayed many through to salvation, healing, deliverance, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Her ministry reached beyond American shores through the Haywood Foreign Missions Team as she carried the Gospel to Haiti, Liberia, West Africa, and London, England. Wherever God sent her, souls were encouraged, lives were transformed, and Christ was glorified.

In 1987, under the divine direction of Elder Ernest Hardy, Evangelist Merchant accepted another Kingdom assignment by assisting Elder Seaborn Bishop in establishing God's Grace Deliverance Church. There she faithfully wore many hats, serving as minister, Sunday School teacher, praise and worship leader, choir director, nursing home ministry worker, and faithful laborer in every area where her gifts were needed. She never sought recognition, only opportunities to serve. One of the most important components of ministry was loving and serving her husband, children, and grandchild with hearty Sunday and holiday dinners. She loved being around family. 

Evangelist Merchant returned to The Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith in 1992, after faithfully completing her assignment. During this season, she embraced one of the most unique and impactful ministries of her life as an American Sign Language interpreter for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Those privileged to witness her ministry understood that she was far more than an interpreter—she was an anointed vessel. As the preached Word and songs of Zion filled the sanctuary, she ministered with remarkable expression, grace, and spiritual sensitivity. The anointing upon her interpretation often caused those watching to lift their hands, magnify God, and break forth in heartfelt praise.

Under the pastorate of Bishop Eugene Lundy, Evangelist Merchant remained a faithful pillar of The Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith. Alongside her family, she faithfully served across multiple administrations and ministries, helping strengthen and expand the work of the Kingdom. Her labor included prison ministry, altar ministry, the Spiritual Clinic, leadership of the 24-Hour Prayer Line Center, testimony services, choir ministry, outreach to the unhoused, and countless other acts of service that often went unseen by man but were always seen by God. She exemplified the words of Scripture: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

In 2003, God once again expanded her assignment as she joined her beloved nephew, Bishop William Monroe Polley, and her niece, Lady Patricia Polley, in establishing Zion Christian Assembly. There she faithfully served as Senior Minister and spiritual mother to many. She mentored ministers, encouraged young believers, strengthened families, and became a trusted counselor whose wisdom was sought by many. She possessed a powerful prayer life, unwavering faith, and a discerning spirit. Those who knew her often declared that "Mother Merchant knew how to get a prayer through." She created an atmosphere where healing, restoration, deliverance, and the presence of God could freely move.

Over the years, she enjoyed cruises and traveling with her husband and taking her children and grandchildren camping in the family winnebago. Especially preparing Sunday dinners for her family and loved ones. She always took joy in supporting her children and especially her grandsons as they ministered in music.  In her senior years, she was a proud member of the Silver Sneakers Club where she was active with working out in the gym and enjoying life. 

To know Evangelist Merchant was to witness genuine holiness lived daily. She loved God's people, honored His Word, and remained steadfast in her commitment to the Apostolic doctrine until the Lord called her home. Her life was a living testimony that ministry was not confined to a pulpit but was demonstrated through humility, compassion, service, and unconditional love.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Sam and Nellie (Watson) Williams; her devoted husband, Lloyd Gene Merchant, Sr.; her cherished grandchildren, Joshua Merchant and Alisha Ingram; and her beloved siblings, twin infants who passed away at birth, Lillie Johnson, James Williams, Jasper Williams, Edward Williams, Ethel Conley, George Williams, and Essie Bowman.

With hearts filled with both sorrow and gratitude, her legacy is lovingly cherished by her devoted children, Evonne Grant, Toni Renee Ingram, and Lloyd Gene Merchant, Jr.; her beloved grandsons, John Lloyd Merchant-Smith and Herbert Burton Smith II; together with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, spiritual sons and daughters, treasured friends, and countless lives touched through her ministry.

Though our hearts grieve her absence, we rejoice in the blessed assurance that Evangelist Lillian Evonne Merchant has exchanged labor for reward, faith for sight, and earth for glory. Her voice may be silent here, but the testimony of her life, her prayers, her preaching, and her unwavering devotion to Christ will continue to echo through generations. Truly, she has fought a good fight, finished her course, and kept the faith. Well done, thou good and faithful servant.