Dorothy "Dottie" Joyce Lyles

Born on December 16, 1929, Dottie Lyles was born again at 9 years old, when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. This important decision changed the trajectory of her life, which was then dedicated entirely to the Lord and His work on earth. Her Christian education at Bob Jones University, her choice to marry Bud Lyles, whose life was dedicated to the Lord’s service, the way she taught school, raised her children, served in her church, even organized spiritual activities at her assisted living community, all were outward evidences of her inward faith in Jesus Christ, and a desire to serve Him.

Dottie was a teacher: she taught school for 25 years, ending her career at BJES in Greenville, SC. She taught each of her five children to read, taught them to sing in harmony, held backyard Bible clubs, taught and superintended Sunday School, was a frequent speaker for ladies’ meetings and preachers wives’ fellowships. She was generous with her wealth of knowledge and was concerned about lost souls.

Dottie was a prayer warrior: she was faithful to pray daily for each family member by name; she lifted up friends and church family; she regularly prayed for ministries and missionaries around the world; she earnestly prayed for the lost. It was always encouraging to know that she was praying for you, because her prayers of faith would be answered.

Dottie was a daughter and niece: when her mother and aunt needed her in their elderly years, Dottie resigned from teaching, moved to New York, and cared for them until their deaths.

Dottie was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, the matriarch of a tribe who kept her busy keeping everyone connected through her weekly emails. She sent out dozens of birthday and anniversary cards.

Dottie was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. She has many life-long friends there who have missed her faithful attendance and will remember her as a fellow laborer for the work of Christ.

She was welcomed into Heaven by her precious Savior, as well as her husband Bud, daughter Sherrie, son Bob, great-grandson Micah, and other relatives and friends, many of whom are there because she invited them. She is survived by her daughter Valerie (Gary) Thompson, son Buddy (Kaye) Lyles, son Jon (Nancy) Lyles, 17 grandchildren and their spouses, and 35 great-grandchildren, two of whom will be born in April.

Visitation for Dottie Lyles will be on January 28, 2021, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, at Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Drive, Greenville, SC

Funeral service on January 29, 2021, at 11:00 am, at Fellowship Baptist Church, 614 Ikes Road, Taylors, SC, Pastor Rick Pardee officiating. Internment at Graceland East Memorial Park.

In lieu of other expressions, the family has asked that contributions be made to The Master’s Foundation, Inc., for the Bob Jones University Evangelism Award. The Master’s Foundation, 31 Slater Road, Buffalo, MO 65622