Michael Charles Lyle

Mr. Lyle was the youngest of the ten children of the late Harry Francis and Ella Julitta Wolff Lyle. Born on March 23, 1932, at the family farm near Holly Springs, Arkansas, he grew up in Mena, Arkansas.

He is survived by his beloved wife of more than 61 years Mary Frances Hodges Lyle, JD, and by his children, whom he always described as “wonderful", and their spouses; daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth Anne Lyle Miller and Richard George Miller of Collierville, Tennessee; son and daughter-in-law Stephen Michael Lyle, and Pamela Marie Benken Lyle of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter and son-in-law Mary Carol Lyle Hollis and Sterling Alex Hollis, Jr., PE of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and son and son-in-law David Robert Lyle, JD and Dr. Douglas Charles Murray, PhD of Nashville.

Mike is also survived by ten grandchildren on whom he doted, and their spouses, Amie Therese Hollis, JD and David Patrick Bone of Nashville; Anne Marie Miller Morris and William Homer “Tripp” Morris, III, PhD, of Marietta, Georgia; Lt. Cmdr. Michael Robert Benken Lyle currently stationed in Yokusuka, Japan; Dr. Laura Elizabeth Miller Ramirez, MD and Dr. Robert Allen Ramirez, DO of New Orleans, Louisiana; Matthew Bryan Benken Lyle and Dr. Mimi Phan, MD of Houston, Texas; Caitlin Frances Miller Bonds and Truman Andrew “Tab” Bonds of Knoxville, Tennessee; Sarah Elizabeth Hollis Barker and Brad Robert Barker of Leesburg, Virginia; Stuart Thomas Hollis of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania; and Mary Charlotte Lyle-Murray and Frances Elizabeth Lyle-Murray of Nashville, Tennessee.

Thirteen great-grandchildren, considered “amazing” by their great-grandfather, will miss their G-Pappa very much; Emmanuelle Therese Loyer of Knoxville, Tennessee; William Nathaniel Bone of Nashville, Tennessee; Hampton Miller and Etta Jane Morris of Marietta, Georgia; Reina Jolene Pascual Ramirez of New Orleans, Louisiana; Hannah Elizabeth, Solomon Andrew, and Adah Kathleen Bonds of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Victoria Catherine, Sydney Nicole, Samantha Grace, Jackson Sterling Clinton, and Charles Joseph Dallas Barker of Leesburg, Virginia. His many nieces and nephews from both the Lyle and Hodges families will also truly miss their Uncle Mike.

Mr. Lyle is survived by three sisters and one brother; Katherine Lyle Mudd of El Paso, Texas; Harry Thomas Lyle of Jemez, New Mexico; Patricia Lyle Sherrill of Decherd, Tennessee; and Joni Lyle Cunningham of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was pre-deceased by three brothers and their spouses Joseph and Marietta Lyle, John Robert and Thelma Lyle, and James and Frances Lyle; and by two sisters and their spouses, Mary Jane Lyle Berry Correnti, Henry Berry and Joseph Correnti; and Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Lyle Michie and Charles Michie. He was also pre-deceased by his brothers-in-law Randall Mudd, Henry Sherrill, and William Cunningham; and his sister-in-law Janet Lyle.

He played first-string guard on the Mena “Bearcat” High School football team and was valedictorian of his 1949 graduating class. While attending Mena High School Mike joined the 937th Artillery Battery unit of the Mena, Arkansas National Guard. Later, the Mena National Guard was the first National Guard unit in the United States to be nationalized and sent to fight in Korea. He went with his unit and was an artillery gunner; he was 19 years old and a first-year engineering student at the University of Arkansas. Upon his return to Arkansas in 1952 he met Mary Frances Hodges and they married in 1954. In 1957 he concluded his studies with a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi engineering fraternity and Theta Tau fraternity. His first employment was with General Electric Company, and in 1969 he accepted a position with Carrier Air Conditioning Company in McMinnville, Tennessee, later moving to Nashville, Tennessee where his wife attended Vanderbilt Law School. He retired in 1994 from Avco Aerostructures Company. Along the way he acquired his Professional Engineer’s license and spent many years as a member of the American Society for Quality Engineering.

He was always active in his church and volunteered on many community projects, such as delivering Meals on Wheels for St. Luke’s Community House. He served as Senior Warden of the Vestry of St. Matthias Episcopal church for several years, later transferring to Christ Church Cathedral, where he and his wife have continued their faith journey.

Throughout his life Mike Lyle was an avid University of Arkansas Razorbacks fan, attending as many home football games as possible in both Fayetteville and Little Rock. He loved driving to the games with his car covered in Razorback magnets and flags. When not driving to a game he also was known for honking and waving a Razorbacks license plate to any passing car from Arkansas.

Michael Charles Lyle was a man who knew no strangers, would assist anyone in need of help, and was ready and willing to take anyone into his heart. He was a man of many names, Mike, Dad, Pappa, Pappaw, G-Pappa, Brother, Uncle, and Friend. He will always be remembered for his laughter and stories, his faith, his love for his country and community, and for his love for his family.

You are invited to attend a celebration of Mike' s life on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee. Visitation will be held in the sanctuary from ten o’ clock in the morning until eleven with the funeral liturgy at eleven-thirty. The graveside service will follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens, 9090 TN Highway 100, Nashville, TN. Pallbearers will be the men of the family.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be given to St. Luke’s Community House, 5601 New York Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37209, stlukescommunityhouse.org.

Visit the online obituary: www.brentwood-roesch-pattonfuneralhome.com