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Thelma Clinton Lytle, 98, a lifetime resident of Commerce, died Oct. 9, 2008, at Hunt Regional Community Hospital of Commerce. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Monday, October 13, 2008, in the First Baptist Church in Commerce under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home of Greenville. Pastor Johnnie Henderson will officiate. Burial will be in Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce. Visitation will be Sunday, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the church.
The Commerce Chapter 208 Order of the eastern Star funeral ceremony will be observed by chapter officers. "In The Garden" will be sung at the conclusion of the ceremony. Mrs. Lytle was a 50 year member of the chapter.
Born July 22, 1910, in Commerce, she was the daughter of Walter A. and Lottie Claxton Clinton. She married Clarence J. Lytle on March 16, 1929.
Mrs. Lytle attended Commerce public schools. She was a dietitian and supervisor for the Commerce Independent School District for 18 years; she retired in 1976. She was hostess and receptionist at the faculty lounge at East Texas State University. Mrs. Lytle was a member of The Business and Professional Women organization, Women's Culture Club, Eastern Star-where she held many offices, and the Rebekah Sunday School Class and study club. She was to have been recognized at the 125th anniversary of First Baptist Church in Commerce in November as the oldest living member of the church.
Her faith grounded her as she reared her family, and she gave generously of herself to every endeavor she undertook. She lived a life of service to her extended family and friends; hospitality was her hallmark. Her children's friends were lovingly welcomed at the Lytle country home. Her hobbies were collecting antiques, sewing and tailoring, raising flowers and vegetables in her many self-designed gardens, creating beautiful and memorable occasions for her family gatherings thorough food, decorating and conversation.
An avid cook, she coordinated the meals for Meals on Wheels in the formative years of that Commerce philanthropy. She was a mentor and nurturer to all who knew her. She brought her passion for flowers and design to the inside of Commerce schools in their display cases and at the cafeteria. She served as president of the PTA of Commerce for North Ward schools for two years.
Mrs. Lytle was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 61 years; a son, Walter Larry Lytle; two sisters; five brothers and two stepbrothers.
She is survived by daughters Billie Jean Lytle Pennell and Beverly Jo Lytle Pirkey and son-in-law Dr. Jack Pirkey of Commerce; a son, Dr. Jerry Lytle and wife Debora of Commerce; half brother Jimmy clinton of New Orleans, LA; a stepbrother, Gene Wall of Commerce; sisters-in-law Margaret Clinton of Commerce and Dot Clinton of Pasadena; a cousin, Frances Miller of Commerce; grandchildren Dr. Steve Pirkey and wife Shelley of Wylie, Jaret Lytle and bride-to-be Kelsey Thompson of Commerce, Dena Hayes of Commerce, Julie and Paul Harris of Coppell, Jeanne and Dr. Chuck Lay of Sulphur Springs, and the girl's mother, Shirley Lytle of Commerce, David and Jason Lytle and their mother Emma Lytle of Garland; a stepgranddaughter, Twonette Guessman and her mother LaVern Lytle of Cooper; and great-grandchildren Chase, Kendyl, Peyton and Paige Pirkey of Wylie, Mollye Lay of Sulphur Springs; Sarah and Kadie Hayes of Commerce and Alex Harris of Coppell.
Pallbearers will be Lan Rainey, Lloyd McDaniel, Charles Ray Wade, Jack Kelly, Benny Herman, Dennis Anderson, Orman Roderick, and Donny Boughton.
Memorials may be made to the Clarence and Thelma Lytle Scholarship at Commerce High School or to Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation at P.O.Box 51, Commerce, Texas 75429, or to the First Baptist Church in Commerce.