Obituary of Virginia Lyles

Virginia Mille Brooks (Perkey) Lyles, 85, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. ?Ginnie? is survived by her beloved husband of the past 15 years, Carl Woodson Lyles of Lynchburg; her devoted children Randee Perkey Humphrey and her husband Steve of Richmond; Chip Perkey and his wife Margaret of Lynchburg; and Rich Perkey and his wife Jill of Atlanta; and her adoring grandchildren Corey Humphrey, Justin and Kelsey Perkey, and Connor and Mary Brooks Perkey. Survivors also include her nephews Richard and Donald Brooks, James and Robert Klee, and niece Kay Brooks Pedersen, and their spouses, children and grandchildren. In addition, she is the stepmother of Harold Lyles and his wife Margaret of Forest; Barbara Spangler of Lynchburg; and Denise Griffiths of San Antonio, Texas. Ginnie enjoyed being part of the Lyles extended family, including Carl?s grandchildren Christie Ewers, Tammy Carter and her husband Josh, Rebecca Fleshman, and Linda and Marie Bagwell; and his great-grandchildren Kia Ewers, Matthew Carter, and Seath Bagwell. Ginnie was born November 4, 1926 to Carrell Corydon Brooks and Zella Belvidere Hill of Clawson, Michigan. She attended Western Michigan College where she met and fell in love with Charles Rensen Perkey, whom she married in 1947, a union that lasted 45 years. Ginnie and Chuck moved to Chester, Virginia in 1960 and eventually settled in Lynchburg, where Ginnie joined the administrative staff of Lynchburg College in 1965. In 1969, she became secretary to the President of the College, serving the tenures of Carey Brewer, George Rainsford, and Charles Warren until her retirement in 1998. She was named assistant secretary to the College?s Board of Trustees in 1983 during the Rainsford administration and was made an honorary alumna of the College in 1992. With a constant smile, quick wit, and grace under pressure, Ginnie brought finesse to many College graduations and convocations and happily served as surrogate mother to countless students. Throughout her career, Ginnie was the consummate working mother, balancing her professional responsibilities with the joys of raising and supporting her three children in their academic and athletic endeavors. Both her inner and outer beauty made the world a brighter place for all who knew her. Ginnie was a member of Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church, where she served on the Board of Deacons from 2003-2005. Reverend Chuck Willoughby will lead a memorial celebration of Ginnie?s life on Monday, July 9 at 11 a.m. at the church, 21206 Timberlake Road, with a reception following in the Commons. Private interment will be earlier that morning at Spring Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit the family at Diuguid Funeral Service, 21914 Timberlake Road, on Sunday evening, July 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the Chuck and Ginnie Perkey Athletic Fund, Lynchburg College, 1501 Lakeside Dr., Lynchburg, VA 24501; Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church, 21206 Timberlake Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24502 or Beulah Baptist Church, 528 Leesville Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24502. Diuguid Funeral Service & Crematory-Waterlick Chapel, 237-2722, is serving the family.