Era Mae Lyles

Era Mae Lyles, age 92, of Westmoreland, passed away on August 6, 2024. She was born on August 27, 1931 to Richard and Eula (Pike) Hawkins in the Rocky Mound community of Macon County. She was born again when she was saved by the Lord as a young girl. After being saved she united with Siloam Missionary Baptist Church. She married Chester Ray "Shorty" Lyles on September 17, 1951 and spent twenty-seven wonderful years together.

Era Mae spent most of her working life as a seamstress in Hartsville and Westmoreland. During Shorty's last years he developed kidney failure. With the help of the Veterans Administration she became a certified dialysis technician. She quit work to stay home and perform dialysis on him with a machine provided by the VA until his death in 1978.

Era Mae was proceeded in death by her parents, Richard and Eula Hawkins, her husband, Chester "Shorty" Lyles, and three brothers, Edwin, Gilliam, and Douglas Hawkins.

She is survived by her son Tony (Debbie) Lyles, her daughter, Diane (David) Harrison; grandchildren, Kelly Lyles, Jaime (Darrick) York, Eric Harrison and Michael Harrison. She is also survived by eight great grandchildren, Ryan York, Jacob York, Mac Pegeus, Serenity Harrison, Eli Harrison, Lorelei Huck, Landry - Kate Harrison and Holden Harrison. She is also survived by one brother Billy Joe (Dottie) Hawkins and one sister Louise Scruggs, two sisters-in-law Anna Hawkins and Betty Hawkins, and a large number of nieces and nephews.

She also leaves behind a host of great neighbors and friends that along with her family loved her very much.

She loved spending time with her family and going on vacations with them. She loved trips to the Smoky Mountains, but wasn't much of a beach person. She even got on a plane for the first and only time to go to California to visit her grandson Kelly. But probably one of her happiest places was sitting on her carport talking to family and friends and enjoying some fresh air.

She will be greatly missed, but it is difficult to mourn for someone who has lived such a blessed and full life. She has now taken her last trip to a vacation that will never end.

The service for Mrs. Era Mae Lyles will be held on Thursday, August 8 at 11:00 AM at Woodard Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, August 7 from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM and on Thursday from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM at Woodard Funeral Home with Bro. Chad Lambert and Bro. David Scruggs officiating. Interment will follow in Siloam Cemetery. 

The family have entrusted Woodard Funeral Home with the care of their loved one. 

"Serving you as we would like to be served."

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