Ray Lyles

Mr. Ray Lyles 87, of State Road, and formerly of Winston-Salem, passed away Tuesday evening, May 2, 2017 at Woltz Hospice Home.

Mr. Lyles was born September 20, 1929 to Archie Glen and Vera Bedwell Lyles.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings;  brothers, Charlie and Carlie Lyles, sisters, Nina Brooks, Eva Smith, and Ethel Smith, son-in-law, Donnie Darnell, and great granddaughter, Victoria Collins.  He is survived by his children, Clara Darnell of Elkin, Phyllis (Larry) Collins of Hamptonville, Phillip (Jean) Lyles of Elkin, Allen (Gayle) Lyles of Elkin, Debbie (Rick) Tilley of State Road, and Karen (Dennis) Woodring of Elkin, 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren.

He was an entrepreneur at an early age working in his teenage years as an apprentice in a sheet metal shop, as a car body repairman, and as a salesman.  He began his career as a car salesman for Winebarger Motor Company in Elkin from 1958 through 1968 and completed his career at Parkway Ford in Winston-Salem where he worked as the Used Car Manager from November, 1968 through April, 1986 when he retired at the age of 56.

He was a lover of nature and spent many hours watching and feeding the Blue birds in the numerous houses he had installed around his home.  He enjoyed playing Golf and won many of the “Win a Day with a Pro” tournaments sponsored by Parkway Ford.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 11:00 am at Elkin Funeral Service Chapel with Dr. Bill Johnson officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

The family requests no flowers as Mr. Lyles donated his body to further the advancement of research in medicine to The Wake Forest School of Medicine.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Emergency Services and ICU units at Northern Hospital of Surry County, EMS Staff of Surry County EMS, Mountain Valley Hospice staff, and Woltz Hospice Home staff for the care given to their father during his illness and passing.

Memorials are requested to be made to The Alzheimer's Association P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011 or to Woltz Hospice Home 945 Zephyr Road Dobson, NC 27017 .