Obituary for Mayor Burley L. Lyons
EDISTO BEACH: Burley Lyons, son of Berry and Edna Lyons, was born in the Fire Hill Community of Colleton County near Walterboro, December 14, 1934. He was a graduate of Walterboro High School, attended Clemson University, and graduated from the University of South Carolina. He married his high school sweetheart Shirley Tippens, and they were married for 60 years. After graduation he taught school and coached football in Pickens, SC.
He and his father, Berry Lyons, owned and operated Lyons Furniture Company in Barnwell, SC. After selling the furniture business he moved to Edisto Beach where he and his wife Shirley owned and managed The Lyons Company, a real estate and property management business. Burley was very active in city government. He served eight years on town council before becoming the mayor of Edisto Beach. He proudly served in this position the past twenty years. Through his leadership the town made many major improvements, yet still remains the "family beach" of South Carolina.
Burley was part of the original group who started the Edisto Chamber of Commerce. Burley was also a partner in developing Island Cove, a private residential community on Edisto Beach, and Oyster Park, a commercial development on Hwy 174.
Burley was also instrumental in helping start "Cousin's Day", a gathering of cousins who have met together each month for over 29 years in the Lowcountry.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Tippins Lyons, of Edisto Beach, and by his sister Nevaida Robinson of Virginia. There are three children: Susan Lyons Pratt (Robert) of Columbia; Kenneth Lawton Lyons (Kim) of Lexington; and Burley Lawton Lyons, Jr., of Germantown, TN. There are seven grandchildren: Robert Lawton Pratt, Savannah Tippins Lyons, Kalyn Elizabeth Lyons, Zachary McMaster Lyons, John Luke Lyons, Elizabeth Lawton Lyons and Katherine Louise Lyons. He also leaves behind his faithful companion and friend Tide.
Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 at the Edisto Beach Baptist Church with Rev. Rob Heath and Rev. Wey Camp officiating. Immediately following the service, the family will receive friends in the church social hall for a time of visitation. Committal services will be held later that afternoon at 3:00 at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Walterboro. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Edisto Beach Baptist Church, Haiti Under God, or the Honduras Foundation. Any memorials can be designated and mailed to the church at 414 Jungle Road, Edisto Beach, SC 29438.
It is with great sadness that we announce Mayor Burley L. Lyons passed away January 28, 2015. He was a great leader, friend and champion of Edisto Beach. Funeral Services will be held on January 31, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Edisto Beach Baptist church at 414 Jungle Road. Arrangements are being handled by Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home. More information will be posted as it becomes available.