Geraldine Lyons, 94, passed peacefully in her sleep from Alzheimer’s disease at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was born in McLean County, Ky. to Guy and Sally Story but spent most of her adult life in Owensboro with her husband, David Truman Lyons. She was preceded in death by her infant son, husband, and two sisters, Joyce Dame, and Edna Earl Johnson.
She began playing the piano by ear at age 3 and in high school she played and sang weekly in a band on live radio. For 35 years she enjoyed playing for various gospel quartets and visited numerous churches of different faiths although she a was devoted member of Pleasant Hope General Baptist Church.
A homemaker, she was an excellent seamstress making her daughters clothes and cross stitching family’s quilts, each taking up to 2 years to complete. These remain highly treasured for their beauty and intricacies. She was noted for her love of baking “all things sweet”. In earlier times she enjoyed her daily walks in Legion Park or the mall. However, in later years she looked forward to having breakfast with her McDonald friends.
Geraldine was a kind, sweet woman of integrity, who remained humble her entire life. She was smart and witty, the latter being especially present with her friends in Assisted Living where she joined in with the banter and good-natured gossip. In the last 2 years of her life, she participated in the socials, sing-a-longs, activities, attending in-house church services, and playing a “mean” piano. Some teased her that if she played any more they would have to put her on their payroll. She was a wonderful mother and will be missed.
She is survived by her daughter Linda Silber (Mourad); stepdaughter, Carol Estes ( Lindy); 3 step-grandchildren, Timothy Daughtery, Dana Williams, and Liana Stinnett (Will); nine step-grandkids; 16 step-great-great-grandkids; and a sister-in-law, Sally Bowling.
A special thanks goes out to the caretakers and her friends who were there for her until the end at Brighton Gardens of Raleigh. The family also wishes to thank Amedisys Hospice for their wonderful care.
Services are 12 noon on Friday, February 8, 2019 at the Chapel of James H. Davis Funeral Home & Crematory, 3009 Frederica Street in Owensboro. Burial follows at Pleasant Hope Cemetery in McLean County. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.