Helen S. Lyon

She was born in Del Rio, Tenn. The youngest of 10 children, Helen grew up in Front Royal, Va., and had been a Newport News resident for 52 years. Helen met her husband, Robert Lyon, while the two of them were driving wounded soldiers to baseball games for the Red Cross at the end of World War II.

Helen was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. She retired as the Executive Director of the Peninsula Literacy Council, now called Peninsula READS, a non-profit organization. During her career she was an advocate for Literacy and served in many capacities supporting Literacy including the Newport News Library Board, the Virginia Literacy Coalition, and Laubach Literacy International. A highlight for her was a kiss she received from Barbara Bush during the First Lady's visit to the Peninsula Literacy Council. Helen was also deeply involved with the Historic Hilton Village, Hilton Horticultural Group, PTA, Meals on Wheels, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church ECW and EYC, Church Women United, and the Heifer International Project.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Howarth Lyon, in 2001, and is survived by three children, David S. Lyon of Arlington, Arthur C. Lyon and his wife, Marian, of Fredericksburg, Pa., and Susanne L. Daley and her husband, William, of Newport News; five grandchildren, Benjamin W. Lyon, Samuel G. Lyon, Nathaniel H. Lyon, Joshua C. Lyon, all of Fredericksburg, Pa., and Elizabeth A. Daley of Newport News; and a sister-in-law, Anne Stokely of Falls Church, Va.

A graveside service followed by a reception will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at National Memorial Park in Falls Church, Va. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Hilton Village. After the service the family will receive friends and invite you to share your favorite memories of Helen.

The family thanks the staff of Warwick Forest - Evergreen Unit, The Newport, and James River Convalescent - Warwick Unit.

Memorial donations may be made to the Peninsula READS, 11832 Fishing Point Drive, #200, Newport News, VA 23606, Newport News Green Foundation, 11820 Fountain Way, Suite 301, Newport News, VA 23606, the Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington D.C. 20016, or Heifer International Project at www.heifer.org/give/give.

Please leave condolences at www.wjsmithandsonfh.com. Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.