Cleasta Rose Lyons

November 23, 1934 – August 23, 2026

Chris Palmieri Lyons went home to be with her Heavenly Father, Lord & Savior, on August 23, 2026.

She was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to parents Elizabeth Nino (Mother) and John Palmieri (Father), who immigrated to the United States in 1902.

She met and married Tom Veigle in PA in 1955 and then moved to Orlando in 1958 to start Tom's Pizza Shops. In the next 12 years, they opened 28 locations in the state of Florida. One remaining shop still operates in Deland, FL.

In 1968, they opened a roast beef sandwich restaurant chain, Beefy King, which was traded publicly on the NY Stock market, grew to include Florida, the Bahamas and the Carolinas, and was later sold to a company in West Palm Beach, FL. A privately owned location still exists and continues to be a favorite near downtown Orlando today.

Chris continued to be successful in her career in life insurance and real estate sales for 35 years, earning top in sales multiple times for Hilton Grand Beach Vacation Club, Marriott Grande Vista and Orange Lake Resorts.

As a devout Christian, Chris was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church Orlando for over 40 years.

Chris is survived and loved by her daughter, Cynthia L. Johnson; her son-in-law, Gail H. Johnson; her grandson, Gail A.T. Johnson; and her brother, Donald F. Palmieri. In addition, Chris is remembered lovingly by many of her nieces and nephews.

A private burial service for the family will be at Palm Cemetery in Winter Park, FL.

In lieu of flowers, please honor the memory of Chris by donating to the Humane Society of Volusia County.