A Life Lived: Pastor Terry Lyons’ greatest loves were family, ministry

Published 12:49 pm Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Pastor Terry Lee Lyons of Roan Mountain had served as minister at Lick Creek Christian Church, Big Springs Church of Christ, and Bethel Church of Christ, however, he had preached at numerous churches in the area during his 35-year ministry. He and his wife were members of the Upper Shell Creek Christian Church.

“His ministry was his number one love and the work he enjoyed doing the most. He loved people and being there for them,” said his daughter, Julie Farmer.

Pastor Lyons died March 24 at the age of 72 after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer.

He and his wife Judy had been married 52 years and were the parents of two daughters, Julie Farmer and Marcia Davis. Additionally, he had five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who were the love of his life.

A friend wrote on Pastor Lyons’ funeral home tribute page: “Terry was a kind and gentle soul. He loved the Lord and was blessed with a knowledge of God’s Word. I enjoyed hearing him preach at the Carter County Men’s Fellowship.”

A fellow minister wrote: “He walked the talk,” was a great worker and Godly man.

Pastor Lyons and his wife lived in Upper Shell Creek. In addition to his ministry and church work, he in past years had worked at the Johnson City Foundry and in vocational education as welding instructor at Cloudland High School. He had also worked at the Decanter Machine Shop in Johnson City. At each of his work places, Pastor Lyons had made a lot of friends and left his mark.

Julie said her dad enjoyed church work the most. “He devoted a lot of time to it. He enjoyed visiting and was there for his congregation. He also devoted a lot of time to studying and reading his Bible. Dad was a very compassionate person and was a good example to follow,” she shared.

Julie noted her father was also a fun person and enjoyed fishing, cooking, and woodworking. “He could do about anything. He was a good cook, especially when it came to grilling. However, his favorite fun thing was being on the water with his friends and fishing. He and his fishing buddy Bob South had fished everywhere in the area – Watauga, Douglas, and Cherokee Lakes and all the rivers in between. He enjoyed fishing for bass,” she said.

At the time of his illness he had been helping Julie and her husband, Brian, remodel their farmhouse.

Julie noted that her dad had the privilege of baptizing most of his grandchildren as well as performing their marriage ceremonies. “They have great memories of him,” she said.

When he was at home, Pastor Lyons enjoyed watching Tennessee play ball on television.

“He was a good husband to my mother. She was the love of his life. He was also a good father, was always there for me and my sister and our children. However, the greatest love of his life was Jesus and it was evident in his everyday life, his ministry, and his many kind deeds toward others,” said Julie.

Pastor Lyons’ ministry is over on this earth. He has now gone to his eternal reward, but he has left behind many memories for his family and the people he ministered to.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news and announce it to the world. Certainly, Terry Lyons was a beautiful person in heart and spirit to many, many people.