Katherine Abigail Covington Lyles Services for Katherine Abigail Covington Lyles will be held Friday, April 23, 2010, at 10:00 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Wayne Smith officiating. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery. Mrs. Lyles, 90, passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at Golden Living Center. She was a faithful member of Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church where she was involved in XYZ and Young at Heart. Mrs. Lyles graduated from Meridian High School in 1936 and Meridian Junior College in 1939. She married James Lyles on September 21, 1942. She was owner and manager of Lyles Concrete Block Plant, 1946-1982 with her husband until his death in 1963. At the age of 64, Mrs. Lyles began her career in real estate, achieving her brokers license at the age of 70. She was owner/broker of Lyles Real Estate Agency. Mrs. Lyles was a civilian employee at Key Field, prior to WWII and at Meridian Naval Air Station. While a member of the Chamber of Commerce, she served as the first chairman of the Keep Meridian Beautiful campaign. She was a member of W.I.C.S (Women in Construction) where she served as president for several years, and a member of the National Concrete Masonry Association. She will be remembered for her strong work ethics and integrity. She taught her children the value of doing what is right, living a moral, Christian life and following their dreams. Survivors include her daughters, Rita Newell and her husband Jerry of Hoover, AL; Robbie Shehane and her husband Don of Meridian; Judy Grayson of Helena AL; son, James Lyles, Jr. and his wife Rhonda of Grenada, MS; grandchildren, Scott Newell and his wife Amy; Jay Grayson and his wife Karen; Toni Keller and her husband Clayton; Lyle Shehane and his wife Jennifer; Robin Gressett and her husband Jason; Jennifer Lyles; Clay Grayson and his wife Mindy; ten great-grandchildren; brother, Ed Covington and his wife Janice of Hendersonville, TN; several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Lee Lyles, Sr.; her son, Stanley "Sam" Lyles; a brother, James "Jim" Covington; her parents, Howard and Lola Covington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Clay Grayson, Jay Grayson, Lyle Shehane, Scott Newell, Jerry Newell, Don Shehane and Ralph Grayson, Jr. Family and friends may sign online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com. Visitation will be held Thursday 5-7 at the funeral home.
