Dorothy Marjorie Lyons

Graveside service for Dorothy M (Marge) Lyons, 94, will be this Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11:00 at Jacksonville City Cemetery. Ms. Lyons died September 4 in Piedmont with her family by her side. She said she wanted to make it to her 94th birthday and would die at two in the morning. She was close, she made it to ninety four dying at 0123 in the morning, missing her predicted time by only thirty seven minutes.

Marge is survived by her children Bridgett, John and his wife Andra, and Matthew; grandchildren Kaitlin Setzer (Ronnie), Dr. James "Jake" Lyons, and Nathanael "Nate" Lyons; and great grandchildren Vickers and John "JP" Callaway and Luna Setzer. She is also survived by her beloved brother Thomas Smith and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marge was born and raised in Etowah County, AL. She said the "hardest thing she learned in her life was the alphabet" and thought the formation of letters into words and words into stories was magical. This led to her being an "award winning reader" as child and an avid reader throughout her life.

After graduating High School she enlisted in the US Navy in hopes of getting the GI Bill for college tuition. Her academic goals were put on hold after marrying until her oldest children were in grade school. She first completed an Associate Degree and became a registered nurse. Ms. Lyons had a varied nursing career with it culminating when she retired from Jacksonville State University where she was named a Professor Emerita of Nursing.

Marge was a master gardener, she loved spending afternoons on her front porch admiring the flowers, shrubs and trees that resulted from her gardening. She was known for her great cooking that included an eclectic menu. She loved to cook for her family especially her brothers and sisters and more importantly she always enjoyed and welcomed unexpected guests to her dinner table.

Predeceasing Marge were her husband James "Jim" Lyons, her parents Lee and Evie Smith and siblings Mary Frances Owens, Norma "Shug" Parker, Donald "Bubba" Smith, B.F. "Frank" Smith, Renelda Loring, and Melvin Smith. She was also predeceased by her dear friend Lurlene Smith. The family thanks the following for their assistance to Marge over the years: the Piedmont City Librarians, the Piedmont Beauty Shop, especially Renae, and Phil who would carry her books to and from the library. Pallbearers will be Jake and Nate Lyons, Ronnie Setzer, Bryan Shelton, Timmy Hibbets, Jason Abernathy and honorary pallbearer Ben Smith. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Piedmont Library (106 N. Main Street, Piedmont, AL 36272) or the Calhoun County Master Gardeners (1702 Noble Street, Ste 108, Anniston, AL 36201)

Dansby Heritage Chapel is honored to serve the Lyons family.