Frankie Guess Lyle

Biography

Mrs. Frankie Guess Lyle, age 97, of 6954 Hendersonville Highway in Hendersonville, entered into her eternal rest Monday afternoon, July 16, 2012, at her residence under the care of Southern Care Hospice. She was the wife of the late Mr. Lafayette Strait Lyle, Jr.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 o'clock Wednesday morning, July 18, 2012, from Salem United Methodist Church, 7163 Hendersonville Highway in Hendersonville with The Reverend Debra M. Barnett officiating. Interment will follow in Stokes Cemetery.

Mrs. Lyle was born March 18, 1915, at Whitehall Plantation in Colleton County and was a daughter of the late Frank and Elizabeth Fraysse Guess. She was educated in the Hendersonville Schools and attended Winthrop University where she studied Music. At the age of 12, she started playing the piano at Salem United Methodist Church, and from the beginning she became an indispensable figure at Salem Church. She was not only a music teacher who taught private piano lessons until she was in her 90's but was also a classroom teacher having taught in both the Elementary and High School in Hendersonville. As a church musician, she was an educator through her guidance and encouragement. She taught the appreciation of quality music. In the 1960's she served as the Chancel Choir Director and Organ mistress of Bethel United Methodist Church - Downtown Walterboro, before assuming the same position at her home church where she served until she was in her 80's. In both Bethel and Salem Church, all were made richer by her musical talent through her strength and character of Spirit.

She was quoted as being "a rare Christian woman who touched the lives of perhaps more of us than has any individual of this community, who demonstrated a courage that came only from a sturdy faith that inspired all. Frankie was a reckoning force behind countless productions that were a tremendous source of pride to students, parents and school officials."

She was a member of such civic organizations as the Daughters of the American Revolution and Aphrodite Fine Arts Club.

Surviving are: her son, Lafayette Strait Lyle, III; three grandchildren, Lafayette Strait Lyle, IV and his wife Christin, Ryan Collins Lyle and his wife Shana, and Fraysse Wrenn Lyle; one great grandchild, Coldin Brantley Lyle; her only nephew, Louis D. Guess, Jr. and his wife Gail; and one great nephew, Luke Guess. She was preceded in death by her brother, Louis D. Guess, Sr.

Flowers will be accepted, or for those that wish, the family has respectfully requested that memorial contributions be directed in her memory to: Salem United Methodist Church, 7163 Hendersonville Highway, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488

For those that desire, memorial messages and thoughts of condolence as well as memories of Mrs. Frankie may be left for the family by visiting the registry at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.

Family and friends are invited to call from 6:00 until 8:00 this Tuesday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.