Betty Lou Lyles, 84, Beardstown, died Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

She was born October 28, 1937 in Gary, IN, the daughter of Andrew Jackson and Helen Christina Webster Florey. She married Walter Lee Lyles on February 3, 1973 and he preceded her in death on February 29, 2012.

She is survived by five children; Tracy (wife Linda) Hageman of Quincy, Becky Young of South Jacksonville, Terri (husband Les) Farwell of Beardstown, Cindy (husband Scott) Cantrall of Springfield, and Carla Wessel of St. Petersburgh, FL; 13 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; three sisters, Virginia Fretty of Paxton, Kit Sinnock of Beardstown, and Garnet Zulauf of Jacksonville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son, Walter “Opie” Lyles, a son-in-law, Jim Young, a grandson, Nathaniel Wessel, two sisters, Dorothy Mae Burton and Pat Hageman, and a brother, Andrew Jackson Florey, Jr.

Betty graduated from Beardstown High School in the class of 1955. She operated a daycare with at times 20+ children in her home. After spending a lot of time in the kitchen, she opened Betty’s Bakery Bar which created many tasty memories. She was a member of First Christian Church in Beardstown where she strengthened her faith and relationship with God and had a care group that was like her family. They enjoyed sharing their love of God at church, outside of church, and around the table. Betty was gifted with the ability to play the piano and organ. She knew how to pull off a prank and enjoyed bingo. She had a giving heart, and a void will be left in the lives of all those who knew her.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown with Pastor Mike Courson officiating. Burial was in the Beardstown City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to Beardstown Christian Academy (BCA) or Cass County Food Pantry. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.