Charlene Ann Lyon

Charlene Ann Lyon peacefully left this world on January 30, 2017. To her last day, the hallmark of Charlene’s life was a deep and abiding faith, which multiplied itself in love for her family, her friends and those in most need of God’s compassionate care. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, February 3, at 10:30 a.m., at Coronation of Our Lady Parish, 13000 Bennington, in Grandview, Missouri. The family will greet visitors, on Thursday, February 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., with a Rosary at 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, she would be most honored by memorials to Coronation of Our Lady Parish, or the Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education, F.I.R.E., c/o The Catholic Center, 20 West Ninth Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.

Born in Vernon, Texas, on August 3, 1926, Charlene handed on memories of her growing up years in cotton country in the midst of the historic events of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl and World War II. Charlene graduated from South Lockett High School and fondly recalled being Cotton Queen of Wilbarger County. She was preceded in death by her much-loved parents, Benjamin and Nora Lowe, and her two sisters, Nora Davenport and Gladys Fitts. Among her most cherished vocations, Charlene was first a wife. Introduced to a handsome veteran in Kansas City in 1947, she took him home to meet her parents. She married Kenneth Lyon on January 31, 1948. In their 65 years together, they modeled and shared strong values for their seven children, 20 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Charlene is survived by: Elizabeth and Harvey Haynes; Larry Lyon; Susie and Larry Young; Nancy and Mark Stephan; Rebecca and James Summers; Jean Tadokoro; Jeff and Lynette Lyon, and her many nieces and nephews. Family and friends mattered a great deal to Charlene. Among many relationships over the decades, she treasured Joan Nehring, Kathy Wittman, and Jeff Tadokoro. Charlene was a “true mom,” baking cookies and finding that quiet moment for each of her children. She was a “true friend,” bringing people together to work at church and a host of other community strengthening endeavors. She was a “true wife,” supportive and faithful in great and small things to Kenneth, whom she rejoined one day shy of what would have been their 69th wedding anniversary. Charlene’s family has been greatly enriched by her lived example of faith, family and friends.