Eula Mae "Pris" Lyle Tynes
Eula Mae, known by all as Pris, went home to her Lord and Savior peacefully on June 18, 2015. She was 83 years old and a resident of Denton, Texas since 1964. She was born in El Dorado, Arkansas on Groundhog Day in 1932. Her family moved to Henderson, Texas when she was young and later to Beaumont, Texas where she graduated from high school. She earned her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Texas in Austin. While attending UT, she met her husband of fifty six years, Bert E. Lyle Jr., who was the long time track and field coach and athletic director of TWU. Bert dubbed her nickname while they were dating. After he was called home in May of 2011, Pris married Joe Weldon Tynes, Jr. in January of 2013.
Pris was a first grade teacher who taught for over thirty years. She retired in the 1990's and cherished her friendships with the faculty, staff and students at her beloved Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. She loved those days when former students and their kids would drop by the house to visit, or sing carols to her at Christmas. She loved watching the birds in her back yard and the beauty of the roses and flowers that surrounded them. She enjoyed sports and southern cooking. She loved the family basset hounds, a terrier named Husky, a bird dog named Bevo and all the mischief they would get into. She relished the pet shows she directed at Woodrow Wilson and the smiles on the students' faces when their pet was awarded a special prize.
Pris knew the most important things in this life were the relationships she had with God, family and friends. She loved her children and grandchildren and enjoyed every minute she had with them. She understood the power of play and loved to watch her grandchildren climb the sweet magnolia tree in the back yard. She was proud to be a surrogate mother to numerous college girls that Bert coached and worked with, some of whom became daughters by proxy and big sisters to her sons.
Pris was a natural. Always a lady, she was as sweet a person as God has ever created. She led by example. She was born knowing what to say and how to say it. She knew what not to say. She would always complement others and had a unique ability to make everyone feel special. She was extremely hospitable and wanted to make sure her guests had everything they needed. Even during her last days, she was never bitter and was much more concerned about the comfort of those around her rather than her own.
Pris was the epitome of grace. She handled difficult situations with love and empathy. She lived the Golden Rule and was a positive influence to everyone who met her. Simply stated, Pris was an angel on earth, no doubt sent as a gift to all and an example of God's true intentions.
Pris was preceded in death by her husbands, Bert Lyle, Jr. and Joe Tynes; her parents, Egbert Garland Bass and Eula Ramsay; and her brother, Hubert "Sam" Bass. She is survived by her brother, Harroll Bass, sister, Regenta Jenkins, sister-in-law, Ann Bass; her son, Bert Lyle III and his wife Susie and their children, Kristopher Lyle and his wife Jayna, Austin Lyle and Alexis "Lexi" Lyle; her son, Frank Lyle and his wife Julie and their children, Blake Lyle and Chad Lyle; and her great grandchild, Elliot Mae Lyle, daughter of Kristopher and Jayna. She is also survived by many cousins and nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.
The family would like to thank the following friends and caregivers whose love and support have been immeasurable: Jesus Christ, Bobbie Boler, Jody and Tim McGuire, Willow Bend Assisted Living and Memory Care, Senior Care of Denton, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Bhatt and staff, Dr. Perry and staff, Dr. Spivey and staff, Dr. Taylor, DDS and staff, Dr. Hagen, Dr. Cantrell, Dr. Zahn and Dr. Tredemeyer.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate consideration of donations made to any of the following: First United Methodist Church of Denton, 201 S. Locust St., Denton, TX, 76201; Denton Public School Foundation, for the Bert and Pris Lyle Scholarship Fund, 1307 N. Locust, Denton, TX, 76201; Hospice Plus, 571 W. Main St., Suite 240, Lewisville, TX, 75057; The American Cancer Society, 1-800-227-2345 for instructions.
A memorial service for Pris will be held Thursday, July 9, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. in the Cole Chapel at the First United Methodist Church of Denton. There will be a reception at the church immediately following the service. The church is located at 201 S. Locust St., Denton, Texas, 76201.