Sarah Elizabeth Ramsey (Betty) Lyle

Sarah Elizabeth Ramsey (Betty) Lyle, 91, passed away Monday, March 12, 2018 in a local healthcare facility.

Betty and her husband of 71 years, Mitchell Lyle, have been residents of Garden Plaza for the past few years.

Mrs. Lyle was a retired educator, having taught in the Cleveland City School System for 40 years prior to her retirement in 1985. During her tenure, she taught at Allen, Templeton Hill, Mayfield, Blythe Avenue, Arnold and E.L. Ross schools. She was a former student and teacher at Arnold and in 2009 was alumni chair for a campaign that restored the Arnold Memorial Elementary Auditorium. She worked with former classmates to make the restoration a reality and was honored by teachers, alumni board members and Cleveland City School Board, who described her as the “driving force behind the project.”

A 1944 graduate of Bradley Central High School, she received her BS Degree from Tennessee Wesleyan College and her Masters from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority and active in numerous other organizations in the community through the years including the Bradley County Republican Women’s Club and Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, Scenic Lodge 8.

Mrs. Lyle, a member of First Baptist Church since 1946, had been active in the church for many years, working closely with the various children’s departments.

Betty and Mitchell Lyle married at First Baptist Church in August of 1946 and remained loyal and active members until their retirements and their move to Garden Plaza as residents. Through the years, she was by the side of her husband,  Mitchell,  during his service in numerous positions in Cleveland City Government, from Commissioner of Police, Lights and Prisons to his role on Cleveland City Council and as Vice Mayor of the City, retiring in 1996.

Betty Lyle was preceded in death by her parents: James Roy Ramsey and Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland Ramsey and two sisters, Lela Francis Ramsey Cate and Mary Evelyn Ramsey Jernigan.

She is survived by her husband of 71 years Mitchell Lyle of Cleveland; two sons: Tony Lyle of Dublin, Ohio; and James D. Lyle (Mary Kathleen) of Centreville, Va.; grandchildren: David R. Lyle (Joy) of Bristow, Va., Sarah Kathleen Lyle of Centreville, Va., and James M. Lyle (Sonja) of Nashville; nieces Paula  Cate Thomas, Amanda Cate Willoughby, Mollie Cate McAmis and Marilyn Jean Jernigan Cloud, all of Cleveland, and Denise Lyle Joy of Chapin, SC.

Funeral will be Monday, 11 a.m. in the chapel of Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Gibson of First Baptist Church officiating and music by Tom Wickes of First Baptist.

Family will receive friends at 10 a.m. Monday in the Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home chapel, prior to the 11 a.m. service. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Pallbearers include grandsons James M. Lyle of Nashville and David R. Lyle of Bristow, Va., along with Don Willoughby, Bill Thomas, Rusty McAmis, and Paul R. McAmis, all of Cleveland.