James Lyons

Mrs. James Faye Lyons, 85, departed this life on May 31, 2021, at her home in Odessa, Tx. Visitation will be Wednesday June 10th from 5 to 8pm. Funeral service is Thursday, 11am to 1 pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home at 6800 Hwy 80 with Rev. Andrew Penn of Valley View in Abilene, TX officiating. Interment will be Friday at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene in Abilene, Texas.

Named after her grandfather, James Faye was born May 11, 1936, in Clarksville, TX. The eldest daughter of Mr. Troy Harris and Miss Velma Campbell Harris, she attended Patterson elementary and Cheatham High School in Clarksville, TX.

Transferring from (HBC) Wiley College, Faye met Delmon D. Lyons at Prairie View A & M University during her junior year. Her late husband of 61 years won her affection, and they married August 4, 1958. The army stationed the newlyweds at Fort Ord in Seaside, California, where Annette Faye and Delmon Dennis 2nd were born. After an honorable military discharge, they packed all of their belongings in a small wooden trailer and headed to Dallas, TX, where Angela Rochell was born. Her husband accepted his first coaching and teaching job in 1964 in Wharton, Texas, where Gregory Don was born. “I had four children in five years!” she laughed.

She enjoyed her sorority sisters of Alpha Kappa, her church families, college roommates, work colleagues, friends, neighbors over the past fifty-six years in Odessa, Texas, besides her family. Claiming to be a woman with no talents, she gave so much to so many. She multiplied her talent. Her little light shined wherever she went. Even in her last days, she continued to smile.

While her children were 7 years and younger, Faye got her Bachelor of Art degree in elementary education.  The couple attended Prairie View A & M four summers to complete the hours needed. During the school years, she served as a substitute teacher, primarily at Blackshear High School. Reportedly, with the help of the superintendent, she transferred her hours from Prairie View to Sul Ross University and graduated with her B.A. in elementary education. She began teaching fourth grade at San Jacinto Elementary in the 1970s. After over three decades, she retired to care for her husband.

In 1965, the family moved to Odessa, Texas because Mr. Lyons became coach and teacher of science at Blackshear H. S.  But he wasn’t the only teacher. Faye taught her children at home. She also taught Sunday School and Baptist Training Union, after joining St. Matthews Baptist Church. She served as a member of the adult choir and deaconess board, co-chaired the children’s department with Mrs. Rosie Lee Christian, worked in the Congress, and taught Vacation Bible School while living the values she taught in her daily life. She also attended and taught children at Life Unlimited Church and Embassy Ministries, pastored by her son-n-law and daughter Larry and Angela Powell.

Preceding Grandmama’s death are her husband, Delmon Lyons 1st, her parents, Troy Harris and Velma Harris Murphy Rheams, her sister, Mary Helen Harp, and granddaughters, Sheena Arnes Ray, and Candance Velma Powell.

Leaving to cherish her memory are her brother-n-law, Mr. George Harp, children, Annette F. Ray (William), Delmon D. Lyons II, Angela R. Powell (Larry) of Odessa, Tx, and Gregory D. Lyons (Robin) of The Colony, Tx. Her grandchildren: Crystal Lyons-Graham (Josh), Jeffery L. Waugh “J.W.”, Bronzay DeShaun Rivera, Shimene A. Willard (Geremy), Shakeyah Powell, Shaborah S. Johnson (John), Shamonika M. Lyons, Sherard A. J. Ray, Mercadise N. Lyons, Shayna J. Ray, Nathaniel C. Lyons, over 32 great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren, nieces. and nephews.

Honorary Pallbearers are Sherard Arnez James Ray, Ronnie Butler, Larry Powell, Nathaniel Lyons, Carl Chandler, Carlos Porras, Eric Meyers, Bobby Marshall.

The family extends sincere thanks to Kay Courtney and Visiting Angels Home Health, Lisa and Express Nursing, Heart to Heart Hospice, the paramedics, Todd, Barron, Thomason, Hudman, Bebout & Rodriguez, P.C Law Firm, family and friends who helped care for her.

The family appreciates your heartfelt cards, phone calls, text messages, visits, Facebook posts, meals, gifts, and prayers.

The family is receiving florals and plants at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 6800 Hwy 80, Odessa, Texas.