Lucy Lyons

Lucy Lyons was a kind and compassionate woman who lived her life by being an example of a caring mother, loving grandmother, devoted friend and faithful Christian. She was a constant in the lives of those she loved, very dependable and loyal. In her, her children found not only a mother, but also a friend.

The year 1923 saw King Tut's burial chamber unsealed by Howard Carter, unveiling riches of an ancient civilization, and Warren G. Harding, our nation's 29th President, died in office and was succeeded by Calvin Coolidge. For Harry and Fruzie (Gilbert) Turner, life in Bald Knob, Arkansas was far removed from riches and president. A large farming community, Bald Knob was well-known locally as the leading producer of strawberries in the state. This was the site of the Turner family farm, and while Harry managed the farm, Fruzie was busy tending to the needs of their family. Already the proud parents of four children, on November 3, 1923, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Lucy. She was later joined by four more siblings, rounding out the Turner family with nine children.

The Turners were always a close-knit family, especially since there were eleven people living in a three room house. Along with her siblings, Lucy grew up with an appreciation for hard work. Aside from attending school, much of her time was spent hoeing the strawberry and cotton fields by hand. Lucy did have an opportunity while in school to play basketball for a brief time, which she enjoyed.

At the age of eighteen, Lucy married Leo Ralph Decker, who was serving in the U.S. Navy at the time. Lucy went with Leo to San Francisco, where he was stationed, and they made a home together in the suburbs. Here, the couple welcomed the births of their two sons, Ralph and Danny. After a while, Leo was sent to New Hampshire, and Lucy and the boys followed him there. Eventually, Lucy and Leo's marriage ended, and she and the boys moved back to Arkansas. Unable to find a job here, Lucy and the boys packed up and moved north to Otsego, Michigan in the late 1940s, where an aunt and uncle of hers lived. Although cooking was not one of her best honed skills, Lucy took a job as a cook at Fred's Restaurant in Plainwell, where she literally learned on the job. Over time, she worked in several other restaurants as well, and somewhere along the line she also acquired the nickname "Pete." Between cooking jobs, Lucy worked at Gibson Guitar Company for a while, and she ended her working career at Advanced Meters, where she retired in the 1970s.

While working at Fred's, Lucy met a local truck driver named William McLoud. The two eventually married and had three children together, Bill, Harry and Debra. Since William was on the road a lot, Lucy raised the children. She taught them good skills that would guide them through life, like how to maintain a household, to work hard and be independent. She would often times take the kids on day trips to Pine Lake, but they also went on occasion to Arkansas to visit her family too. After thirteen years, Lucy and Williams' marriage ended in divorce. But it wasn't long before Lucy met Everett Lyons at the restaurant where she worked, and they were married on August 14, 1965. With their blended family, Lucy and Everett took many trips with their kids in their travel trailer to places like Hamilton Lake, Canada, and Crooked Lake, where they parked the trailer for several years for the entire summer. After retiring, the couple began wintering in warmer weather places, like Florida, Arizona and California.

When it came to her leisure time, Lucy enjoyed sewing, particularly doll clothes for her granddaughters. She loved to shop too, especially at garage sales where she could barter out a great deal. Luckily, her daughter Debra inherited this valuable trait. For Lucy, there was nothing better than spending a day with her grandchildren, whom she adored. In her community, Lucy was a longtime member of the Otsego United Methodist Church, where she was baptized in 1974. Through the years, she enjoyed being part of the church and helped with their fundraisers by making dumplings. About 2 ½ years ago, Lucy and Everett moved to the Dussia House for a while before going to the Allegan County Medical Care Facility a year and a half ago.

Lucy was a woman who exemplified all the wonderful things a mother should be. She was patient, caring and generous with her time. She took great pride in her children and grandchildren, and always put them first in her heart. She will be deeply missed.

Lucy Lyons, age 83, died on April 29, 2007, at the Allegan County Medical Care Facility. Learn more about Lucy, view her Life Story Film, and visit with her family, on Tuesday, May 1, from 6-8 p.m. and on Wednesday, May 2, from 11-12 Noon, at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, 120 S. Woodhams in Plainwell, where her service will be held on Wednesday at Noon.

Her family includes her children: Ralph & Janet Decker of Ohio, Danny & Lynn Decker of Arizona, Bill & Kathy McLoud of Kalamazoo, Harry McLoud of Zeeland, and Debra McLoud & Tim Delaney of Vicksburg; step-children: E. Ronald & Nancy Lyons of Plainwell, Donna & Joe Flegal of Gobles, Linda & Ed Hobbs of Saginaw, Gordon Lyons, and step-daughter-in-law, Pam Lyons; 16 grandchildren and several step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; siblings: Paul Turner of Arkansas, Mary Lou Schiedeboer of Kalamazoo, and Hester Pancoast of Allegan; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Everett, her step-son, Dewey Lyons, Sr., and her siblings: Dixie, Edith, Tom, Jess, and Mildred. Please visit Lucy's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory of her or sign her online guest book. Memorial contributions may be made to the Allegan County Health Care Facility, Patient Activity Fund.