Garnett Dale Lyons

Garnett Dale Lyons, 91, of Kirksville, died September 5, 2011 at Kirksville Regional Medical Center.

Garnett was born October 15, 1919 in the Mulberry Community, to Ora and Katie Belle (Culler) Lyons. He attended Mulberry rural school, and graduated from Kirksville High School in 1938.

On November 10, 1942 he married Audrea Lee Myers and they were wed 67 years until her death in April 2010. Also preceding Garnett in death were his parents and brother, Oral.

Surviving are four children: Ginny Sevits and Charlie, Gerald Lyons and Sandy Kay, Bobby Lyons and Diana, and Greta Lyons and Denis Marrero; eleven grandchildren: Jami and Janine Sevits, Tammi Sevits, Daini and Jody Farris, Jermey Lyons, Jackie Potter and Jennifer Gillen, Jamie and Tiffany Potter, Janie Pritchett, Lisa Speaks, Steven, Terry and Trisha Lyons; Twenty seven great grandchildren: Jake and Joel Sevits, Lola Sevits, Kaitlyn, Brady, Jenna and Justin Farris, Caitlyn and Cierra Lyons, Leticia, Raegan, Kaylynn, Ethan and Daiman Potter, Cody, Chauncey, Cameron and Keaton Potter, Anthony Sanders, Wyatt and Caleb Pritchett, Chayton and Chandler Speaks, Acie Jo Stewart, Dawsyn, Ryder and Beckett Lyons.

Garnett and Audrea lived in the Mulberry community for twenty three years, where Garnett farmed and participated in the activities of the school, 4-H and Mulberry Church.

After losing most of his eyesight, early in his adult life, the family moved to Kirksville. Garnett did janitorial work, lawn care, child care and cared for his mother, who lived with the family for over twenty years.

Garnett was a longtime member of the Moose, the El Kadir Shrine and the Masons. He and Audrea volunteered with the Red Cross and other community groups. He accompanied Audrea to all her meetings and activities, as long as their health permitted. They enjoyed dancing, playing cards and attending their grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s sporting events.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, September 8 at 2:00 p.m. at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Alan Coonfield officiating. The visitation will precede the service from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Mulberry Cemetery, northwest of Kirksville.
Music will be “Amazing Grace and “The Old Rugged Cross” provided by Lanna Novinger and Dianthe Cable.

Pallbearers are Gerald Lyons, Bobby Lyons, Charles Sevits, Jami Sevits, Jermey Lyons, Steven Lyons and Terry Lyons. Honorary bearers are Jake and Joel Sevits, Chayton and Chandler Speaks, Jody and Brady Farris, and J and Larry Biehl.

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 2100 E. Shepherd Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials in memory of Garnett are suggested to the Mulberry Cemetery.