Pattie Lyons

On Wednesday, November 4, 2010, PATTIE DUNSTON LYONS, God sweetly transitioned her from labor to His reward. He called His angel home. Pattie was born Sunday, January 28, 1923, to the late Jesse James and Harriett Anna Dunston Mitchell of Virginia, North Carolina. She was the sixth of thirteen children. Pattie began her formal education in the schools of North Carolina where she found her interest, playing basketball. Affectionately known to many as “Miss Patty” and “Mamma,” she acquired a skill and passion for cooking southern style feasts, keeping a warm and loving home, gardening, sewing, and decorating for the Christmas Holiday. As a child, Pattie attended the Ashley Grove Baptist Church in Vaughn, North Carolina. On May 12, 1968, after returning to Baltimore, she joined the newly organized Charity Community Church of God. Bishop Henry Thornes was her pastor and brother-in-law. She became a faithful member of Senior Choir and attended Charity until her health failed. It was at that time, she became a resident of Genesis Homewood Center. When Huber Memorial Church of Baltimore began hosting Sunday Morning Fellowship Service with the Genesis Homewood Center, Pattie continued to minister in song at every Sunday service. She loved singing on the choir and her melodious voice could often be easily distinguished. She cherished each visit from her new pastor, Elder Tyrone M. Thomas. Pattie enjoyed listening to the CD’s of his sermons shared with her during visits by her Charity family. The Thornes Trio CD was a favorite. When Pattie met and fell in love with Howard Lyons she knew God had given her a soul mate. They were joined in holy matrimony on March 14, 1942, in Baltimore City and returned to North Carolina to live in his family home. Howard went into the army and return to his family in 1945. With love and devotion, Pattie and Howard started their family and eventually moved to Baltimore City where the family continued to grow. Howard and Pattie shared a wonderful, loving relationship that remained dear to her for the rest of her life. Always the strongest supporter of her children, Pattie deeply love and cared for her family and was proud of each of her children and their successes. She always stressed the importance of education and never failed to encourage and applaud them. She was a praying women, devoted wife, nurturing mother, doing grandmother, loyal friend, and caring relative and neighbor. She particularly cared for children in need and provided help for the children and their families. She was an avid follower of television sports: basketball, baseball, and football. To her family’s delight, she would gleefully cheer on her favorite teams. When Pattie’s team lost a game, she would resolve her disappointment by saying. “Well, there will be another game.” Pattie took great pride in exercising her right and responsibility to vote and one of her greatest joys was casting her vote for the first Black elected President of the United States of America. With her children attending middle and high school and looking forward to college, Pattie went to work for Baltimore City Public School System (Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School). She worked as a Shower Attendant and on the Housekeeping Staff earning the respect of students, faculty, parents, and administrators. Patty was an encouraging voice often expressing the importance of a good education and the ability to stand on your own. On January 26, 1985, she retired from BCPSS. Pattie Dunston Lyons Fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. She changed our world and left it a better place. Her sweet disposition, spiritual energy, wise counsel, and genuine love will be her legacy. Pattie was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; a son, Howard Lyons, Jr.; three sisters, Jessie Clanton, Selina Howard, Ola Britt;four brothers, James A. Mitchell, Arthur Mitchell, Douglass Mitchell, and Willey T. Mitchell. She leaves to cherish her precious memory and to continue her legacy: her children, Faye Edwards (Henry), Josephine Lyons, Howarette Lyons, Jessie Crawford (Peter), Donnalisa Lyons, Theolinda Owens (Vernon), and Matt Leon Lyons; grandchildren, Tye Evans, Sherretta Peterson (Jason), Corey Parker, Suezetta Owens, Stacy Crawford, and Samantha Lyons; great-grandchildren, Sapphire White and Tyerell Evans; five sisters, Betty Booker, Harriett Thornes, Belle Fowlkes, Elder Esther Parham (Lloyd), and Nancy Solomon (Milton); close friend and spiritual sister, Melray Plummer; trusted friend, Shirley Sherman; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

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Pattie Lyons

January 28, 1923 - November 4, 2010