Nancy Cockerham Lyon
July 25, 1936 ~ May 8, 2011
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Asheville~ Nancy Cockerham Lyon, 74, died Sunday, May 8, 2011 at the John F. Keever Solace Center.
Nancy was born July 25, 1936, in Surry County, North Carolina. Her family moved to a farm in Wilkes County when she was five years old. She attended Elkin High School. At Woman's College of UNC (later UNC-G) she studied Spanish and English, receiving her BA degree there in 1959. She, along, with her two younger sisters, became teachers. In 1961, she married Boyce M. Lyon and moved to Asheville. She began teaching Spanish at Lee Edwards High School in 1962 and later became the head of the Spanish Department.
When she became pregnant in 1969, she had to resign from teaching (as was the law). She was offered a job teaching Spanish at Asheville School for Boys and became only the third woman to teach there. When she returned two years later to public school, she was assigned to South French Broad Junior High, where she spent fifteen years teaching Spanish and English before returning to Asheville High. Nancy always had active Spanish clubs, led several student trips to Mexico, and mentored many new teachers over the years. She retired in 1994 after 34 years in the classroom, although she remained active in the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, the professional honor society of women educators.
She enjoyed traveling with her family, painting landscapes, cooking, teaching Sunday School, and playing golf.
Survivors include her husband of forty-nine years, Boyce M. Lyon; a son, Gregory B. Lyon of Asheville, and two sisters; Sandra G. Cockerham of Wilkesboro and Linda L. Cockerham of San Diego, California.
A memorial service for Mrs. Lyon will be held 3:00 pm Thursday, May 12, 2011 at the Skyland United Methodist Church with the Reverend Keith Turman officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Burial will follow at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard in Fletcher.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Delta Kappa Gamma (Gamma Chapter) Grants-in-Aid Fund, c/o Bonnie Wells, 47 Pine Ridge Road, Mars Hill, NC 28754, or to the American CancerSocietywww.cancer.org).
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
Mrs. Lyon was one of my all time favorite teachers at South French Broad. She was so wonderful. My sympathies and prayers go out to your family at this time of loss.
Karen Sawyer Buckner
I am so sad to hear this news. I was a student of Mrs. Lyon at Asheville High, 1987-1990. She was a fabulous teacher! My prayers go out to all her friends and family.
Nancy lived with such grace and poise. She will be missed by so many people. Boyce and Greg, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Lyon family. Mrs. Lyon was my Spanish teacher at Asheville High (’86-’89) and she was, by far, one of the best teachers I ever had.
Mrs. Lyon was my Spanish teacher @ Lee Edwards, 1965-1968..she was very special to me as a teacher, and as a friend. My brother, David Crisp was killed in an auto accident in 1966, he was also one of her students, and she was so kind to me and my family, something one never forgets..God Bless her family and just know she was loved and will be missed by us all..!!
Mrs. Lyon was my Spanish teacher at Lee Edwards in 1967. She was a wonderful and dedicated teacher and she will be missed by all who knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Nancy & Boyce have been wonderful neighbors for many, many years. Our family sends our condolences during this difficult time.
My deepest sympathy to your family. I had Nancy for Spanish I and maybe II….I know I had Toby Bagwell for Spanish III our senior year in 1964-65. She was a great lady and joy for a teacher. She made learning easy and, more importantly, fun. I believe the last time I saw her was when I was home on leave from Vietnam in 1968 and stopped by LHE…I used to enjoy the stories she told about Elkin and Wilkesboro which is a stones throw from my father’s hometown in Alexander County. I shall always cherish her memory and heart warming smile. Everytime I ‘roll my r’s’ I will think of her.
I was sad to hear about Nancy’s passing, but very thankful for the little bit of time I did get to spend with her. We are thinking of you!
Love, Kim on behalf of The Roneys
Boyce, we extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family and assure you that our prayers are with you at the death of Nancy.
She was a valuable member of the staff at Lee H. Edwards High School and was highly respected as a teacher by her students and co-workers. She will be remembered as an asset to the Asheville community and she touched many lives in her lifetime.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Lyon, Family. I am sad to hear of your loss. Mrs. Lyon, was a very special person/teacher that touched many student lives including mine. My all time favorite teacher for sure. I am so glad i had the time to share, reflect and thank her personally for being a great teacher last year.
To the Lyon Family,I send my most sincere condolences and prayers.I was so fortunate to have had Mrs.Lyon as a teacher back in the ’70s.Unlike many teachers of today,she really cared about her students and helped them plan for their futures.It was an honor having her as a teacher.
I met Nancy through my dear cousin, Claudia Edmiston, about fifteen years ago. I soon knew I had met a sincere Christian, perfect lady, and special friend. I have enjoyed talking over lunch with Nancy and getting to know her better. We will miss her but know we will see her again in Heaven.
My prayers go to her dear husband, son, and family.
Boyce and Family, just want you to know that you are in our thoughts and Prayers. Nancy taught my baby brother back before you and she were married and moved to Ashville. I remember your wedding day and how pretty everyone was, she was a special lady.She will be missed.
As a former student of Mrs. Lyons, I remember her with great fondness. She was also my daughters Spanish teacher. Our family sends our love and prayers to you. May God bless and keep you and may you find comfort in his love. Diane Conway Hutchison class of 1969.
Sending my condolences and sympathy to the family. I only knew Mrs. Lyon as the teacher of my 3 sons at Asheville Junior High, but realized then that she was an extraordinary teacher. My children are fluent in Spanish because of her teaching skills. The oldest (Alan Diamond) has wonderful memories of a spring break trip to Mexico with her. Hope she can hear my ‘thank you’.
Extending my deepest sympathy in your loss. Nancy was a special lady. We had many talks when she stopped by the church office. My prayers are with you and your family.
In Christ,
Claudia