Karen Lyles

Karen Jean Lyles - Age 70, of Gallatin, passed away August 1, 2015.

Despite the sadness in our hearts right now, that's not who Karen was, and we should not mourn but celebrate this extraordinary person. Karen never wanted any big deal made about her - except on her terms - and after being laid next to her late husband, she wanted folks to get on with their lives, to live, laugh, and love. In these last several years, the Candy Lady delighted in filling her purse with hard candies - right to the top where the bag wouldn't even close - so she could offer treats to everyone she met. Eight, eighteen, or eighty, it never mattered; if they accepted or politely declined was not important, it was simply about bringing a spot of uncomplicated sunshine into someone's life, even that of random strangers. Accused of being ‘sweet' for her generosity, she would laugh and declare that people clearly didn't know her very well. Truthfully, they didn't. There was no way for that brief kindness to give them any idea of how extraordinary she was. She may have weighed in around 110, soaking wet, but Karen was larger than life. She would be completely dismissive of that idea, but there it is. Descriptions of her are as endless as the people she met, including some not so polite which would cause her to snicker smugly. Family and friends know her as scrappy, sweet, generous, sassy and stubborn. Her daughter certainly thought she was amazing and told her how awesome she was a few times, which always prompted a modest scoff at that notion. Although Karen was a type 1 diabetic for most of her life, she coped with that responsibility with phenomenal strength and grace. Pragmatic to a fault, she loved her kid(s) and dogs fiercely and she was ferociously independent. Whenever a bad situation arose, she dealt with the problem, recovered her stride, and got on with her life - having fun, passing out candy, teasing anyone in range of her notice, playfully bickering with friends and family, and causing other ridiculous mischief.

Rejoice for Karen. Now there's no more disease, distress, or hardship for her. She touched the lives of countless people and left them with a laugh, a smile, or a piece of candy.

That was my Mom. Always my Mom, later my best friend, and forever an inspiration. I will always love you, and I'll miss you, Mom.
Preceded in death by her husband Marshall Wayne Lyles; parents, Henry Brown & Mary Smith Brown. Survived by her loving daughter, Shelley Rhea (Sean); brother, Henry Brown, Jr.; beloved pet, Reecee; grand-dogs, Moxie & Blaze.

A graveside service will be held on 12:00pm Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at Lyles Cemetery in Benton Kentucky. Hendersonville Funeral Home, 353 Johnny Cash Pkwy Hendersonville, TN 37075 (615) 824-3855