Denver "Dale" Lyons

Denver (Dale) Lyons, born on July 16, 1937, was raised in Vancleave, Mississippi. After graduating from Vancleave High School in 1956, he completed a Bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Southern College, now USM. While he was in college, he answered the call to preach, so he abandoned his plans to enter law school to continue his studies at Emory University’s School of Divinity in Atlanta, GA. After his ordination by the United Methodist Church, Dale went on to pastor churches throughout Louisiana and Mississippi for the next 25 years. During that time, he was also very active in the community. He was instrumental in organizing Red Cross efforts on the Coast following Hurricane Camille. He often acted as fill-in host for Betty Dees’ local television show, Just Coasting, on which he and his wife sang each week until Hurricane Camille destroyed the original WLOX studio in 1969. Upon his retirement from full-time ministry, Dale returned to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where, surrounded by family and friends, he continued to minister the gospel to individuals and congregations through singing, preaching, prayer and counseling at every opportunity for as long as he was able to do so. Dale rarely met a stranger. He had a ready smile, a dry wit, and saw the humor in almost every situation. He spent hours praying for others and studying the Bible. He loved nothing better than to sing gospel music or to tell a good story. Dale passed away in his home on December 22, 2013. He is preceded in death by his mother, Wallene Ware Lyons, grandparents, Carrie and Joseph Ware, uncles, Fred Ware and Robin Ware, all of Vancleave, MS and many other beloved friends and relatives. He is survived by his wife of nearly 46 years, Cordia Dyal Lyons, children: Darla Lyons, Dana Lyons Apeitos, (Angelos) Robin Lyons (Trisha Wages) and five grandchildren, Parker Lyons, Sophie Lyons, Walker Lyons, Evris Apeitos, and Ariana Apeitos, six siblings, Jeanette Guldensupp (Harvey), Nancy Jo Lyons, David Lyons (Dianne), Linda Gail Taranto, Sue Saucier and Robbie Goff (Bennie), nine nephews, four nieces and many extended family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, 2550 Indian Point Rd, Gautier, MS. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 26, 2013, at the Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Vancleave, MS, from 5:00-8:00 pm. Services will be at the funeral home at 11:00 am on Friday, December 27, 2013. Friends may visit one hour prior. Interment will follow immediately at Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church Cemetery in Vancleave.