Mrs. Letha Lyons, 84, of Elizabethton, passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2011, at Ivy Hall Nursing Home following an extended illness.
She was the daughter of the late William C. and Burnie Buckles Berry and was born in Carter County. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Lyons, in 1961; two sisters, Iva Garland and Ida Campbell; and three brothers, William Berry, J.B. Berry and Kenneth Berry.
Mrs. Lyons loved children and was a caretaker in her home of 45 children during her lifetime. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where she taught in the pre-school department for 35 years.
Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Perkins and her husband, Steve, Elizabethton, and Ellen Jane Lyons, Chicago, Ill.; two granddaughters, Meagan Perkins, Atlanta, Ga., and Margo Perkins, Charlotte, N.C.; a grandson, Rev. Adam Polk and his wife, Jennifer, Hollywood, Md.; five great-grandchildren, Cody, Rachel, Collin, Rylee and Sophie Polk, Hollywood, Md.; three special “granddaughters,†Lucy Myers, Hilton Head, S.C., Ann Baud and Emily Baud; and a brother, R.H. Berry, Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Lyons will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Adam Polk and Dr. Joe Sorah officiating. Music will be under the direction of Debbie Teague and Elmer Sams. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the service, or at the home of her daughter, Nancy Perkins, 179 Mayfield Drive, Elizabethton, at other times. The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 21, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Bobby Berry, Chad McClelland, Mack Myers, Jimmy Street, Jay Crockett and Drew Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be Fritz Jones, Paul Stout, Terry Emmert, Alan Polk, Ed Shirley, David Bunton, Richard Baud, Wayne Hyder and Stacey Street. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery at 9:55 a.m. Wednesday. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Calvary Baptist Church Mission Fund, 225 N. Holly Lane, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guestbook or by fax to (423) 542-9499.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Lyons family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.
