Earnest “Ernie” Delano Lyle, 75, of Roanoke, formerly of Bath County, died Monday, December 28, 2020 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.
He was born June 12, 1945 in Clifton Forge to the late Ivan Bennett and Linda Mary Dandrade Lyle. Ernie was a lifelong resident of Bath County, a retired production supervisor for Hercules and AET, and a member of Glen Wilton Presbyterian Church. He was an avid Virginia Tech, Green Bay Packers, and New York Yankees fan, and coached all youth sports. Ernie volunteered his time freely for over 20 years to the Bath County Meals on Wheels program, the Bath County Christmas Mother program, and 4-H. He loved the mountains, the quiet, and the people of Bath County.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Gregory A. Lyle.
He is survived by his wife, Jane Reynolds Lyle of Roanoke; a daughter, Nicole Kemper and husband Neal of Blue Ridge; a son, Ernie Lyle Jr. and wife Karen of Frisco, Texas; a sister, Bridget Lyle Martin; five grandchildren, Miranda Lyle, Jessica Lyle, Savannah Lyle, Corbin Lyle, and Jackson Kemper; a number of nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; and special friends, Ashley May, Greg Lee, and Bernie King.
A funeral service was held on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 1 p.m. in Lifeline Ministries Church, Hot Springs with the Rev. Robert McRae and the Rev. Frankie Neff officiating. Interment was made on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in Locust Bottom Cemetery, Botetourt County. The family received friends on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of service at Lifeline Ministries and at Nicely Funeral Home during business hours. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Bath County Christmas Mother program or to the Bath County Meals on Wheels program in Ernie’s name. To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.
