Merle Derryberry, owner and maître de of the West Tennessee beer joint “The Rooster Run,” lived with his wife Nancy in a trailer outback. He was born in Corinth, Mississippi, a little ways south of the Tennessee state line. His parents, Jerry and May Derryberry owned and ran a hardware store in Corinth.
Merle was heavyset but muscular and at 6’4” carried his 245 pounds well. When raised even a few decibels, his baritone voice would resonate inside the Rooster demanding attention. Completing the image was a greying and drooping walrus mustache fronting a skeptical and sometimes dour personality. He towered over most of the Rooster’s regulars. His imposing stature and booming voice usually nipped any potential altercation in the bud. If it didn’t – well, Merle was a big guy – a very big guy.
Merle served in Korea with the army in the 2nd Infantry Division and was awarded a medal for bravery at the Battle of Bloody Ridge. Merle took to soldiering and military life, and in 1953 he received an honorable discharge with the rank of Sergeant. In late 1954 when they were still dating, Nancy persuaded Merle against his better judgment to take her to see a young upstart singer from Memphis called Elvis Presley in concert at the High School in Bethel Springs, one county over. Elvis was no more than a few bars into “That’s All Right Mama,” his opening number, when Merle became a lifelong fan.
