Deacon Emeritus James Roland Lyles
(January 2, 1938 - August 31, 2026)
Viewing Location: Leevys Funeral Home, 1831 Taylor Street, Columbia, South Carolina
Viewing Date & Time: Monday, September 7, 2026 / 3:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m
Funeral Location: Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church, 5326 Ridgeway Street, Columbia, South Carolina
Funeral Date & Time: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 / 11:00 a.m
Interment Location: Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, South Carolina
So very sorry for your lost, praying for the family. Thank Lyles for his service to Ridgewood always with a smile on his face. Rest on sir, AMEN,
So very sorry for your lost, praying for the family. Thank Lyles for his service to Ridgewood always with a smile on his face. Rest on sir, AMEN
Front the Turnipseed family my deepest condolences to Carrie Lyles family
It saddens our hearts to hear of Mr. Lyles passing. He had such a gentle sweet spirit and always greeted you with a smile. We are presently out of town celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary, but it was 50 years ago Mr. Lyles blessed us by singing the LORD’S PRAYER at our wedding. A memory we will always cherish. We pray the LORD will give the Lyles Family comfort, peace, and strength in the days ahead.
Sending prayers of comfort and condolences to the Lyles family. I have fond memories of Deacon Lyles when he use to come and visit our uncle J. W Lyles and aunt Rosa. We called him “Junior Lyles”. Always kind and soft spoken. This has been many years ago. Blessings to the family.
To Mrs. Lyles and family,
My heart was deeply saddened when I learned of the loss of your husband and father. Deacon Lyles was truly a man who loved the Lord and always looked for opportunities to encourage others.
Always remember that God is your fortress, run to him while your heart is overwhelmed and allow him to cover you and keep you in his peace.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers
I am deeply sorrowful for your family’s loss. Deacon Lyles was always a strong man of faith who I always admired. It is comforting to know his soul and spirit remains alive and well
Sending Condolences 💐 to the Lyes family during this time! May God send you comfort! From Geter Family
Our deepest sympathies to Carrie Mae and the Lyles family. Deacon Lyles was the standard of integrity for many of us who grew up in the Ridgewood neighborhood.
Deacon Lyle work on this side is finished.
No more meetings to attend.
No more burdens to carry.
No more sick days to endure.
No more tears to wipe away.
No more difficult roads to travel
Well done servant, we thank you for your service and years of dedication. To the family hold on to God’s unchanging hands, you all know where to find your strength.
Sending our deepest sympathy and condolences and prayers to the family.
Sending our heartfelt condolences to the Lyles family. Deacon Lyles was truly our favorite deacon. He was a man of integrity and humility who always brought a smile to our faces. His kind spirit and the way he carried himself will always be remembered. Keeping you all close in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May God comfort and strengthen your family in the days ahead.
Mrs. Lyles and family,
Poppa Lyles, a true man of God, was so very special to us!
First and foremost, he was our beloved deacon who effectively taught me the assurance of salvation! He also provided premarital and postmarital counseling to us! We genuinely loved and respected him and knew he loved us too!!
We are thinking of and lifting you up in prayer!
We love you!!!
Mrs. Lyles and family,
Poppa Lyles, a true man of God, was so very special to us!
First and foremost, he was our beloved deacon who effectively taught me the assurance of salvation! He also provided premarital and postmarital counseling to us! We genuinely loved and respected him and knew he loved us too!!
We are thinking of and lifting you up in prayer!
We love you!!!
Deacon Lyles was a man of profound wisdom who never needed a long sermon to change a heart. During my orientation back in the 1980s ( Disco Boogie era), someone asked what was wrong with going to the club. He didn’t lecture or judge. Instead, he simply asked: “what are you going for?”
In just five words, he challenged the class to look forward and to live with intention. He met people exactly where they were, guiding our community not with rigid rules, but with quiet truth, God-like love, and a true servant’s heart.
Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done.
Carrie Mae,Sherry,Erica and family
Our sympathy goes out to you and your family during this time of your loss. My uncle had an enormous amount of patience and faith. He would always have something funny to say that would make you laugh. He also was not to get angry but always had a WORD that would help you get through your problem. He was a man after GODS heart. Auntie you and your family will always be in our prayers.EARTH HAS NO SORROW THAT GOD CANNOT HEAL.
Carrie Mae, Sharry, Eric and family
I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time, Deacon Lyles was truly a special person and I pray that God gives you all strength, comfort, and peace in the days ahead. Please know that I’am thinking of you all and keeping your family in prayer.
Sending condolences to the Lyles family. May God give you strength and understanding through this difficult time. Keeping you all in prayer.🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼your neighbors—-Freddie,Karen &family
Sending condolences to the Lyles family. May God give you strength and understanding through this difficult time. Keeping you all in prayer.🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼your neighbors—-Freddie,Karen &family
Sending condolences to the Lyles family. May God give you strength and understanding through this difficult time. Keeping you all in prayer.🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼your neighbors—-Freddie,Karen &family
Sending condolences to the Lyles family. May God give you strength and understanding through this difficult time. Keeping you all in prayer.🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼your neighbors—-Freddie,Karen &family
Sending condolences to the Lyles family. May God give you strength and understanding through this difficult time. Keeping you all in prayer.🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼your neighbors—-Freddie,Karen &family
My deepest sincere condolences to the Lyles family Deacon Lyles was a humble Godly man who used to visit my home on Saturdays for home Bible study reading scriptures from the Bible and question my faith and if I was a Christian he has taught me about the Bible and was looking for me to attend regular services since then I joined my membership at Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church he was happy to see me and greets with his smile and his voice with his laughter of joy I am truly blessed to know him as a great man as a husband father and grandfather to his family thank you Lyles family for sharing Deacon Lyles legacy with so many people who loved him because he cared about everyone
John and Deborah Scott and Tiffany Jenkins
We express our sympathy to the Lyles family. May the wonderful memories of the life you shared comfort you.
A life well lived. Rest in Peace Uncle James. God bless and comfort you Carrie Mae, Sharry and Erica. Don’t rush through your grief, and keep God close as you take this journey the remaining days of your lives.
My condolences I just had gotten off of my cellphone talking with his nephew Vernon and he said to me my uncle passed and I said oh know!!!!! I would all ways see his uncle at piggly wiggly and he would ask me to tell Vernon to come and see him ,so I would wait until at night because I knew it would sink in that I told him to go see him , but he didn’t have to go because he came over to visit his sister Doris she was the nicest mother and she was like a mother-law to me because I live with them and I Dated his nephew ,but as the years went by I would run into aunt Karriemae at store also and she would tell me to tell Vernon to come and see his uncle he’s not to well and I would say yes ma’am I will but you know Vernon had talk with me about how they would go on summer trips with his uncle James and their cousins , but all this time I use to think that his uncle James and uncle Roland was two different uncles come to find out their same one person but his wife did a well good job taking care of him ,the last time I encounter seeinghim was at his sister homegoing which was on a Monday and my mother homegoing was that Saturday so it was a double bubble for me and his nephew you but the Lord has always been with us from the begin to the end and our uncle James you have done your best now get your rest my deepest sympathy to the family may his grace and mercy see you threw won’t he do it God!
Carrie, Sharry, Erica, and Family, we pause with reverence and gratitude as we remember our beloved Deacon James Roland Lyles, Emeritus, a man whose life reflected steady faith, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to God’s people. His service at Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church was never about recognition, but about obedience. He walked humbly, prayed earnestly, and loved generously.
We honor a servant who lived the Gospel in the way he spoke, the way he listened, and the way he cared. His legacy is not only in the years he served, but in the lives he touched — the families he encouraged, the burdens he helped lift, and the example he set for all who follow in ministry.
Though our hearts feel the weight of this loss, we also rejoice that he now rests in the presence of the Lord he served so faithfully. May his memory strengthen us, his example guide us, and his faith inspire us to continue the work with the same grace and commitment he displayed.
With deepest sympathy and condolences to your family.
Freddie & Tamara Stroman
My deepest sympathy to you Carrie, Sharry and Erica and the rest of the family. I will truly miss his sense of humor, that beautiful singing voice and his love for God and others. I will truly miss sitting with him and his best friends on Sundays. Rest in Heaven Dea. May the God of comfort be with you during this time.
To the Lyles family,
Thank you for sharing your husband Carrie and your father girls with so many. Deacon Lyles was a man of integrity, compassion, and committed follower of Jesus and his teachings. Lyles had a beautiful voice and sense of humor. I’ll miss hearing you say. “Sure you’re right.”
You were a bonus father to me and many others.
Carrie Mae, Sharry, Erica, Aunt Janie Ruth Lyles, Unk’s twin sister, and Family, our prayers and condolences for God’s comfort for you in your bereavement for Uncle James’ earthly departure.
“WHAT THE BIBLE SAY, HUH?”
was a question frequently asked by my dear, recently earthly departed UNCLE JAMES ROLAND LYLES, regarding Bible verses and or Biblical precepts or applications for many years in his life.
And now regarding Unk’s earthly departure and his being saved, and having eternal life because of his faith, trust, belief, and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and belief in Christ’s resurrection:
“Unk might have answered his “What the Bible say, huh?” question, regarding his salvation and his earthly departure with the following Bible verses:
“2 Corinthians 5:8, “to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.” and
1Thessalonians 4:13-14, “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe, that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”
Finally, one more “WHAT THE BIBLE SAY, HUH?” Biblical truth that Unk might have used from God’s Word.
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord.”
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
My dear husband, Sherman and I loved and do miss Unk. We look forward to seeing Uncle James again one day!
My deepest condolences. May God cover your family with his peace and comfort in this difficult time.
My deepest condolences. May God cover your family with his peace and comfort in this difficult time.
Deacon Lyles was the greatest neighbor I have ever had. He was the first person I met when we became neighbors back in November of 1978. He always watched our house when we went out of town. We’re going to miss him very much.
So sorry to hear about my cousin Lyles he was a good man that loved the Lord and his church remember the days u worked in the store in Ridgewood u had good news for everyone we will miss you get your rest u deserve it
Thinking of you, I know I can’t make the hurt go away, but I know who can. During this time, he will give you so much peace and comfort. You can’t see him, but he’s there. Please read Proverbs 3:5
Sending sincere condolences and prayers to the Lyles and Brown families. May God grant you all the strength and comfort you need during this time of mourning. May you find peace in knowing that he is with God,
He is at peace, he understood the assignment and fulfilled his duties in God’s infinite love and grace. Deacon
Lyles will truly be missed.
To Carrie and family: our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We will miss our beloved uncle Bo and Lillie
Please accept heartfelt condolences and prayers from the Brice family. We will always cherish fond memories of Deacon Lyles.
Love you all.
Praying for the family. Love you.
Dear Mrs. Lyles, Sharry, Erica and family. I was saddened to hear of the loss of Deacon Lyles. Our families have known each other forever, and are just like family. Deacon Lyles was very special to the Bethel family and he was a true servant of God. He was always kind spirited, soft spoken and helpful. He loved his family, his church and the Ridgewood community. His presence will be missed. May God comfort you all during all of your days. Deacon Lyles, Rest in Paradise. Djuana Wilson and Peggy Bethel
To one of the best uncles in the world I am truly grateful he has been in my life. You will truly be missed. I remember when I came back to Columbia and I came to Ridge wood church. I didn’t see where he came from but he made sure I was inside the church and seated and when the benediction he helped me get back in the car. A true man of God I will never forget how he showed that he cared for me and made sure I was alright. Uncle Lyles you have got your wings and you can join the heavenly choir and sing Yes Jesus love me I will s we see you again. I believe I am going to stay ready for when Jesus calls my name.
Sending our sincere prayers and condolences to the Lyles family. May God give you strength and peace during this time. Dea. was truly one of the most God fearing men I ever met. RIP and get you just reward Dea.
Val Kennedy-Johnson and family.
Sending our sincere prayers and condolences to the Lyles family. May God give you all peace and strength during this time. Deacon Lyles was truly a God fearing man. RIP Dea. Get your just reward.
Val Kennedy-Johnson and family
To my aunt and family I will miss my uncle the memories that I had with him. Coming by my house for lunch getting a piece of cake or fruit. Sending him raisins and ginger snaps stopping by to visit. Rest in Peace my uncle.
To my loving uncle who I will miss all the happy memories,you stopping By for lunch with your sister getting a piece of cake or fruit. Me sending you raisins,ginger snaps thing you love. I love and will miss you. Rest in Peace
SENDING PRAYERS OF SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT YOUR WAY. THANKS FOR BEING THERE FOR US OVER THE YEARS. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO ABUNDANTLY BLESS AND SUSTAIN YOUR FAMILY. DEACON LYLES HAS VISITED, PRAYED AND HELPED BAPTIZE MEMBERS OF RMBC FOR DECADES. WE COMMEND HIS BODY BACK TO THE CREATOR FOR REWARD. MAY THAT “MELODIOUS JOHNNY MATHIS STYLE VOICE” ECHO IN HEAVENLY PRAISE FOREVER. THANKS FOR SHARING. CHERYL AND ROBYN
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you & your loved one today and always. My heartfelt condolences. Remember our God is our Healer (Psalm 103:3).
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you & your loved one today and always. My heartfelt condolences. Remember our God is our Healer (Psalm 103:3).
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you & your loved one today and always. My heartfelt condolences. Remember our God is our Healer (Psalm 103:3).
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you & your loved one today and always. My heartfelt condolences. Remember our God is our Healer (Psalm 103:3).
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you & your loved one today and always. My heartfelt condolences. Remember our God is our Healer (Psalm 103:3).
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you & your loved one today and always. My heartfelt condolences. Remember our God is our Healer (Psalm 103:3).
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you & your loved one today and always. My heartfelt condolences. Remember our God is our Healer (Psalm 103:3).
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you & your loved one today and always. My heartfelt condolences. Remember our God is our Healer (Psalm 103:3).
To Mrs. Lyles and family I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Deacon Lyles. Thank you all for sharing the blessing of the Lord:
Acts 11:24: “For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”
So sorry, to hear about the passing of Decon James Lyles. Sending sincere condolences to Mrs. Carrie Lyles and family