Citadel Alumni Obituaries

Frank Arromanus Lyles, 89, of Spartanburg, passed away peacefully at his
home on November 21, 2012. He had lived with a positive attitude and
generous spirit in spite of his twelve-year battle with Alzheimer’s, and
continued to enjoy family and friends throughout, as they also enjoyed him.
He was a devoted husband for 61 years to Florine France Lyles and a loving
father to four children. A seventh-generation South Carolinian, Frank grew
up in Spartanburg. He attended The Citadel through his junior year when he
enlisted in the army as a Lieutenant in World War II and served in the
European theater and the Japanese occupation. He returned to South Carolina
to graduate from the Citadel with the Class of 1944, and from The University
of South Carolina Law School in 1948. He continued military service in the
National Guard and then the Army Reserve Judge Advocate Generals Corp until
1972 when he retired as a Colonel. His distinguished career in law began in
association with his father Thomas Minter Lyles and brother William Crews
Lyles. Notable causes he successfully supported included a case before the
United States Supreme Court defending the free exercise of religion, and
counsel to Spartanburg city schools through peaceful desegregation and
decades of strong growth. He continued civil law practice in Spartanburg for
more than 50 years until his retirement from the firm he led, then known as
Lyles, Darr and Clark. He is gratefully remembered by clients not only for
his sound and conscientious legal guidance but also his sensitivity,
thoughtfulness, and unfailing courtesy. Frank Lyles generously contributed
to many Spartanburg government and civic organizations. Drawing on his
expertise in real estate law, he served as the initial Chairman of the
Spartanburg Board of Assessment Control, a post he held for 15 years, and
also served on the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning and Board of Zoning
Appeals. His professional and civic service included presidencies of the
Spartanburg Bar Association, Chamber of Commerce, Audubon Society, Junior
Chamber of Commerce, and Retired Officers Association, as well as serving as
a founding member and president of the Spartanburg Area Conservancy Board
(SPACE) and Sertoma Club. He was an active member of Central United
Methodist Church, serving as Chairman of its Administrative Board and other
leadership and service roles. He was also a member of the Piedmont Club and
The Country Club of Spartanburg for many years. He was preceded in death
by his father, Thomas Minter Lyles and mother, Madeleine Crews Lyles;
brothers Thomas Lyles, John Lyles, and William Lyles. He is survived by his
wife, Florine France Lyles, sister Madeleine Lyles Jeter, and children
Lawrence France Lyles of Dallas, Texas; Bertram Thomas Lyles, his wife
Jeanne and sons Thomas and Frank of Nashville, Tennessee; Lucille Norris
Lyles Henner, husband Thomas, children Ryan, Jacob and Madeleine Anne of
Avondale Estates, Georgia; and Frank Arromanus Lyles Jr, wife Jacqueline,
and children Caroline and Frank III of Atlanta, Georgia; 15 nephews, nieces
and others in his extended family; as well as a devoted goddaughter, Ellen
Watters Wilkins. Frank was a bright, compassionate man with a quick wit.
His life was lived with integrity and grace. He enjoyed camping, boating,
sailing and travel with his family. He remained always a cheerful, polite
gentleman, loved deeply by those who knew him well. The family is deeply
appreciative of Tonya Lewis, Sheila Foster, Vicky Peake and others with
Dayspring Caregivers as well as Spartanburg Regional Hospice for all the
dedication and compassionate care they gave Frank near the end of his life.
A Memorial Service will be held at Central United Methodist Church at 2:30
P.M. on Sunday, November 25, 2012, conducted by the Rev. Alex Stevenson. The
family will greet friends following the service in the church Fellowship
Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to
Alzheimer’s Association , South Carolina Chapter, 4124 Clemson Blvd­Suite L,
Anderson, SC 29621; Central United Methodist Church, 233 N. Church Street,
Spartanburg, SC 29306; Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE), 100 E. Main
Street­Suite 7, Spartanburg, SC 29306; or Spartanburg Regional Healthcare
System Foundation (Hospice), 101 E. Wood St., Spartanburg, SC 29303. An
online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com Floyd’s North
Church Street Chapel.

Tags: 1944