Harold David Lyons, Sr., age 82, passed away on Wednesday, April 18 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS following a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Lyman Sidney Lyons, Sr. and Ethel Dumesnil Lyons Reed of Abbeville, La., and two brothers, Lyman Sidney Lyons, Jr. and Joseph Sidney Lyons.
Mr. Lyons served as a Navy Petty Officer in WWII as an aviation machinist's mate. He was also instrumental in establishing the rice industry in Mississippi through his employment at Delta & Pine Land Co. in Scott, MS and The Mississippi Rice Growers Association in Cleveland, MS during the 50's and 60's. In July of 1971, he became a drug and alcohol counselor at the Department of Corrections for the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman where he retired in June of 1996. He was also a member of The National Association of Alcoholism Counselors and a member of St. Richards Catholic Church in Jackson, MS. Mr. Lyons was an avid golfer prior to his illness and was privleged to have had 3 hole in ones.
Harold leaves his wife of 58 years, Mabel Noel Lyons of Jackson, Mississippi; four children, Dr. Edward P. Lyons of Lafayette, LA and his wife, Donna; Harold David Lyons, Jr. of Memphis, TN; Michelle Lyons McCarthy of Bonita Springs, FL and Kansas City, MO and her husband, Richard ("Mac"); Ethel Lyons Smith of Olive Branch, MS and her husband Chris; 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
A memorial service and viewing will be held at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Jackson, MS on Saturday, April 21 at 10:00 AM with a funeral viewing to be held at Vincent Funeral Home in Abbeville, LA on Sunday, April 22 from 1 PM -5 PM and a funeral mass at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church on Monday, April 23 (time pending).
The family would like to express their appreciation to their family and friends, to the VA Hospital for their continuous support through their staff, to the sitters from Oxford Health Care, the staff of Hospice Ministries, Inc. and the staff and members of St. Richards Catholic Church for their love, care and support through this difficult time.
The family is requesting donations be made to Hospice Ministries, Inc.; 450 Towne Center Blvd.; Ridgeland, MS; 39158-1228.