Josephine Lyles

Josephine Maywood Tripp Lyles left her family and entered into her heavenly reward on Saturday, November 26, 2011, in Conroe, TX at 99 years of age surrounded by the family to which she had been such an inspiration. She was born to Winn and Zula (Blanton) Tripp, December 31, 1911, at Big Spring, Texas and married young West Texas rancher James Canon Lyles on November 3, 1935, in Monahans, Texas.

She gave her life to the Lord at 10 years old, taught Sunday school for over 50 years, arranging flowers and kept the church books during that time. She became a member of East Side Baptist Church in 1953 and remained such until her passing.

In 1937 Canon and Josephine established a ranch in Crane and Upton Counties, calling McCamey, Texas home. Josephine continued ranching after the death of her husband in 1957, and also kept the books for the McCamey News for a total of 23 years (after retiring three times).

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Canon Lyles, parents Winn and Zula Tripp, brothers James, Phil and M.O.(Buster) Tripp, sister Willou Bristow and granddaughter Andrea Josephine Lyles. She is survived by one sister, Amy Abel, sons, James Lyles, Quinton (Joan) Lyles and Roger (Patsy) Lyles, Grandchildren Lisa Beach, Stacy Hawkins, Lynn Lyles, Canon Lyles and Hillary Hawkins, five great grandchildren and a very special niece & caregiver Sue Tripp Higgins. A host of remaining nieces and nephews, many who spent some great summers at the ranch with Aunt Josephine, also mourn her passing.

Graveside services are scheduled for 1:00 PM on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, at the Resthaven Cemetery in McCamey, TX with Reverend Murray Sauders officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home.