Mr. Russell Harvey Lyles, Sr., 97, of Roanoke Rapids, NC died Saturday, December 24, 2011 at The Village at Woods Edge in Franklin, Va.

Mr. Lyles served his country in the US Army, US Coast Guard, and was a WWII Veteran. Mr. Lyles retired as a railroad engineer with the Pennsylvania Railroad after 37 years of service. He was a member of Rosemary United Methodist Church in Roanoke Rapids, NC and was a member of the Azure-Masada Masonic Lodge in Cranford, NJ for 76 years.

Russell enjoyed playing golf, playing the organ, painting, drawing and spending time with his loving family and many friends.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nellie Taylor Lyles; son, Russell Harvey Lyles, II and his wife, Eddi Lyles, of Murfressboro, NC; two granddaughters, Meredyth and her husband, Chris Corey, of Woodland, NC and Elizabeth and her husband, Woody Shores, of Aulander, NC; two great-grandchildren, Christopher Aidan Corey and Sophia Elizabeth Shores. He is also survived by his sister, Sarah Lyles Whitaker, of Lancaster, SC; and by his brothers, David Lyles and his wife, Doris, of Weldon, NC, James Lyles and his wife, Cindy, of Lancaster, SC and Bobby Lyles and his wife, Brenda, of Lancaster, SC.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 12:00 noon at Rosemary United Methodist Church in Roanoke Rapids with Rev. Sue Owens officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarwood cemetery in Roanoke Rapids.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the service time at the church on Wednesday.

The flag in front of the funeral home flies at half-staff in honor of Mr. Lyles' service to his country.