Marion Lyles
Westminster – Marion Edward Lyles, 87, husband of Raynell Barnes Lyles, passed away Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 at Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Marion was the son of the late Paul Jones Lyles II and Pearlie “Polly” Wheeler Lyles.
Marion, a native of Westminster, South Carolina, left in 1954 after high school and joined the United States, Navy. Mr. Marion Lyles was a United States Navy Veteran. Mr. Lyles remained in the Naval Reserve force after 6 years of active duty. He served in Anti-Submarine and Fighter/Attack squadrons and operating on aircraft carriers. Marion retired from the United States Naval forces as a “CWO5” Chief Warrant Officer. Marion went on to retire from Delta Air Lines after working in the aircraft maintenance division, pilot training and quality control.
After retiring, Marion returned back home where he worked on the development of the Oconee County Regional Airport and was the airport director. In fact, the field is named “Lyles Field” in honor of Marion. Marion received his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Alabama in Business Management. He held an FAA certified Commercial, Multi-engine pilot, Instrument rated, B 747 Flight Engineers’ certificates. Marion was also a FAA certified aircraft and powerplant maintenance technician. Marion served eight years on the Oconee County Council, one of those years as the Chairman and was instrumental in the transition of the new hospital towers, which has been beneficial to many people. Marion also served on the Board of the Appalachian Council of Government, where for two years he was the Chairman. Marion volunteered as a greeter at Oconee Memorial Hospital for twelve years, and he and his wife volunteered for Grace’s Closet at West Oak High School. Marion also was involved with the Westminster Rotary Club, where he enjoyed being part of meetings and activities and was a member of Westminster Baptist Church.
Mr. Lyles has been married to his wife Raynell for 67 years. They have two sons, James Mark Lyles (Lynn) of Westminster and Paul Edward Lyles (Eliza) of Newnan, Georgia; and a daughter, Teresa Lynn Morgan (Ted) of Newnan, Georgia. Marion and Raynell also have seven grandchildren, Drew Morgan, Tyler Morgan, Austin Lyles, Trevor Morgan, Cary Lyles, Adisyn Lyles, and Max Lyles and five great grandchildren, Halle Morgan, Lilly Morgan, Easton Morgan, Parker Morgan and Luke Lyles. Marion was very proud and loved his family dearly. Marion enjoyed tailgating at Jax State, where his son played football, and tailgating at Georgia Tech and Memphis, where his grandsons played football. Marion is also survived by his sisters, Mildred Merritt of Fayetteville, Georgia and JoAnn Hudson of Newnan, Georgia.
In addition to his parents, Marion is preceded in death by brother, Paul Jones Lyles III, and a sister, Mary L. Rice.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at the Sandifer Funeral Home Chapel, Mr. Lyles will privately be laid to rest on the family farm. The family will receive friends 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 7th, 2024 prior to the service at Sandifer Funeral Home.
The family is at the residence. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marion’s memory can be made to the Westminster Rotary Foundation, Scholarship Fund, PO Box 155, Westminster, SC, 29693. Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.sandiferfuneralhome.com.