Richard Wilmer Pyles

Richard Wilmer Pyles (76), has moved to his Heavenly Home having passed away peacefully at Brookridge Retirement Center in Winston-Salem, NC after several years with dementia. 

Born in Washington, DC to Wilmer Dove and Cloris Pyles, Richard grew up in Temple Hills, MD. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Carol Pyles (Williamson), their two children, Rev. Christopher Pyles, Baltimore, MD, and Amanda Allshouse (Ben), two grandsons Jackson (15) and Asher (12), Denver, CO, his sister Pamela Stanard, Clearwater, FL, his twin brother Dr. Jerald Pyles (Ann), Hendersonville, NC, and sisters-in-law Barbara Sampar, VA, and June Baldwin (Grover), MD. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Nancy Johnson. 

Richard graduated from Oxon Hill High School, in Oxon Hill Maryland, and attended Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Richard was dedicated to a strong public school system. He began his 30 year career with Prince George’s County Public Schools in 1970 where he met the love of his life Nancy Carol. When he retired from PGCPS he was serving as Chief of the Data Management Systems Department and stayed on for another decade as a consultant. 

Music was always important to Richard from his high school days playing in the percussion section of the Oxon Hill High School band, to listening to oldies on the radio, and playing his vinyl collection; melody, harmony, and a good beat made his heart happy. Richard loved his family and enjoyed bringing together extended family during his years in Temple Hills. He loved a competitive round of the card game pitch. Softball, badminton, croquet, and volleyball were some of his favorite games when outdoors. Richard enjoyed gardening and beautification of spaces; he voluntarily spent many hours helping family and neighbors with outdoor projects. His 1970 Honda 750 motorcycle and a mustang were how he liked to take in scenery. His love of the road manifested in attending local races, watching his uncle Glenn compete in the 1950s-60s, and following NASCAR. Richard loved visiting beaches from Delmarva to the Carolinas. He was an avid body surfer, wave jumper, and sandcastle builder. Many of these loves live on in his grandchildren. 

In 2008, Richard and Nancy built their dream home in Ararat, VA and in addition to the quiet of the pastoral setting, enjoyed visits from family and lifelong friends. The path behind the house down to the creek reminded Richard of his childhood, playing in the nearby woods before the construction of the beltway. Nearby Mt Airy also offered pleasant nostalgia, with its nods to Mayberry. After a decade in Ararat, Richard’s illness had progressed and a cottage in Brookridge Retirement community in Winston-Salem became home. Transitioning back to city life was made easier by the beautifully wooded grounds and friendly neighbors. 

Richard had the fortune of finding fellowship with several congregations over his life. As his mother was the organist for St. Barnabas, this was his spiritual home for the first third of his life. Richard and Nancy chose Broadview Baptist Church as their home for their years together in Temple Hills, where Richard played intramural softball, cooked Wednesday night dinners, and engaged with service projects. In retirement, Richard attended First Baptist Church in Mt. Airy, NC where he was active in helping with Friends Feeding Friends, and at Thanksgiving collecting nonperishable food for local food banks. Shortly after arriving in Winston-Salem, Richard joined Ardmore Baptist Church. Richard’s faith grew stronger through his marriage with Nancy, who shared her love of God with him all of their 52 years together. In Richard’s final years in Total Nursing Care, Nancy stayed by his side daily, reading bible verses, singing hymns, and praying. 

Services will take place at 11am Saturday November 16, 2024, at Ardmore Baptist Church, 501 Miller St, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ardmore Baptist Church for Disaster Relief in Western North Carolina https://www.ardmorebaptist.org/ or Trellis Hospice Care https://www.trellissupport.org/.