Dr. Julius Theophilus “J.T.” Lyons

LYONS - PFAFFTOWN Dr. Julius Theophilus ""J.T."" Lyons passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. He was born in Kershaw, SC on March 19, 1924 to the late Marry Idell Morris Lyons and William Edward Lyons. He was the youngest of twelve children; four daughters and eight sons. At the age of two, his parents moved to Bennettsville, SC and later moved to Cheraw, SC where he was raised. At the age of eighteen, Mr. Lyons was drafted into the Armed Forces of our country and he served faithfully for four years in the United States Navy during WWII and was discharged in January 1946. In 1947, he married Iva Janet Driggers of Wallace, SC. They made their home in Charlotte, NC and were saved by the grace of God on December 4, 1955. God called Dr. Lyons to preach when He saved him. In 1956, he enrolled in Tennessee Temple University to further his education that would help him in his preaching. In 1959 during a Missions Conference at Highland Park Baptist Church, Dr. and Mrs. Lyons surrendered their lives to go to Liberia, West Africa as Missionaries serving with Baptist Mid-Missions. In Liberia, Dr. Lyons served as a Bush Pilot, mechanic, builder, and most of all, a preacher of the gospel. After 18 years in Liberia, God moved them to the country of Spain where they pioneered the work there for Baptist Mid-Missions. They labored in Spain for 17 years and continued winning souls. Because of health problems they had to return to the States, but Dr. Lyons continued his ministry in Missions until his Heavenly Father called him to his new home. Dr. Lyons is survived by his devoted wife, Iva Janet Lyons; four sons, Steven Randolph, Sanford Leroy, Michael Dean and Jonathan David Lyons; ten grand-children; and two great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 21 at Woodland Baptist Church with the Rev. Tim Gammons and the Rev. Jonathan David Lyons officiating. Burial will follow at Crestview Memorial Park with Military Honors provided by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, February 20 at Woodland Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Woodland Baptist Church Building Fund, 1175 Bethania-Rural Hall Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27105. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com. One thing can be said of Brother Lyons, he was a faithful servant and he fought a good fight and finished his course, he kept the faith.

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