Evelin Rebecca Lyon

Evelin Rebecca “Becky” Lyon, R.N., age 78, of Hurley, Mississippi, passed away on May 18, 2026, with her children at her side, after a life marked by faith, love, laughter, and a remarkable gift for caring for others. Becky was born on March 25, 1948, in Laurel, Mississippi, to a family that helped shape the strong, kind, and steady woman she became. She carried her roots with pride all her life and never forgot where she came from. She was a Christian woman whose life reflected her faith in the way she loved, served, encouraged, and showed up for the people around her. If you knew Becky, you knew she had a heart big enough for her family, her friends, her patients, her neighbors, and probably half of Jackson County’s wildlife too, because even the birds, squirrels, and deer seemed to know they were welcome at her house. Becky was preceded in death by her beloved husband and the love of her life, Fred Keith Lyon of Hurley, Mississippi; her parents, JW Leggett of Ellisville, Mississippi, and Evelin Frazier of Petal, Mississippi; her parents-in-love, Elton and Minnie Jane Lyon of Laurel, Mississippi; her brother, Bobby Leggett of Richton, Mississippi; her brothers-in-love, Bobby Lyon of Hurley, Mississippi, and Royce Collins of Grand Bay, Alabama; and her special sidekick of 20 years, Spice. She leaves behind a family who will forever carry her memory in their hearts, including her children, David Lyon and his wife, Theresa, of Hurley, Mississippi, and Paige McCallum and her husband, John, of Gulfport, Mississippi. She also leaves her very spoiled good boy, Chico, who surely knew he was adored and probably got away with more than he should have. Becky was blessed with a beautiful family that continued to grow and bring her joy. Her grandchildren include Mallory Lee and her husband, Tim, of The Woodlands, Texas; Andrew Canterbury of Fort Hood, Texas; Jade Lyon of Benld, Illinois; Connor Stork and his wife, Sara, of San Antonio, Texas; Haley Gonzalez and her husband, Damien, of Hurley, Mississippi; and Sara Lyon of Hurley, Mississippi. Her great-grandchildren, Jerimyah, Gabriel, and Gianna Gonzalez of Hurley, Mississippi, and Greyson and Issayah Canterbury of Fort Hood, Texas, were a special delight to her. She loved being present in their lives and made it a priority to be there for them, even when she was not feeling her best. Becky did not believe in being a spectator from the sidelines when her family was involved, because she wanted to be in the middle of the cheering, the hugging, and, if necessary, the gentle correction. Becky graduated from RH Watkins High School in Laurel, Mississippi, and later pursued her nursing education at MGCCC Nursing School in Gautier, Mississippi. From a young age, she dreamed of becoming a nurse and even planned to join the military to help pay for nursing school. Life, however, had a different and sweeter plan, because she met the boy who became her husband right after high school. She put her dream on hold to raise her children and to be a second mother to many of their friends, which was no small task and likely required a level of grace, patience, and coffee that only heaven could provide. Her dream eventually became a reality, and in 1983 she earned her RN degree with her husband and children cheering her on. Becky began her career on PCU and later transferred to MICU, where she became the daytime charge nurse. She truly found her calling in nursing. Her children still hear stories from doctors and nurses who worked with her about what an amazing nurse she was. More importantly, her family remembers the compassion she showed to patients and loved ones alike. She made herself available to families, explained what their loved ones were going through, listened carefully, loved on them, and included them in care. Becky believed families should never be left in the dark, and she lived that belief with tenderness and honesty. She was a true nurturer, and she carried that gift into every room she entered. She retired in 2010 and missed nursing dearly, but she treasured the time she had with her husband and the peace of being at home with the people she loved most. Becky’s life was filled with simple joys and memorable adventures. She was a true nature lover and always had a yard full of her favorite birds, squirrels, and what must have been the best-fed deer in Jackson County. When her children were young, family came first, and many days were spent in Laurel visiting extended family and making memories together. If the family was not in Laurel, they could often be found on the water. Many weekends were spent on Cumbest Bluff in their little green boat, camping, fishing, skiing, and swimming. Becky once bought her husband a 22-foot Bayliner for Father’s Day, and after that, the family spent time at Sand Island with family and friends. That sounds less like a gift and more like a full-time ministry of fun, and Becky seemed to know exactly how to do both. She was also a wonderful cook, and her family will forever remember her cornbread dressing with giblet gravy, squash with onions, beef stew, apricot nectar cake, fried flounder, boiled shrimp, divinity candy, hamburgers, and homemade French fries. Becky fed anyone who showed up at her house, and nobody ever left hungry if she had anything to say about it. She loved to cook for the people she loved, and she did it with the kind of generosity that made a meal feel like a hug. She also loved antique stores and finding special trinkets, and she looked forward to the yearly Around the World yard sale. She and her sisters traveled to many places and made special memories on those trips, which she cherished deeply. Becky loved being present for the important moments in her family’s lives. There were not many functions involving her children or grandchildren that she missed, and that devotion continued with her great-grandchildren. Even while ill, she still made herself present, because that was who she was. She loved with her whole heart. She did not merely say she loved people; she proved it through her actions. Becky also loved to sew and made many dresses for her daughter and handmade Halloween costumes for both of her children. Her love showed up in stitches, meals, rides, prayers, and countless quiet acts of care that will never be forgotten. Though her family grieves deeply, they can take comfort in knowing that Becky’s faith was real, her love was strong, and her life was a testimony to the goodness of God. She lived with a servant’s heart, a nurse’s hands, a mother’s tenderness, and a sense of humor that could brighten even the hardest day. Heaven surely welcomed her with joy, and one can imagine the reunion was full of laughter, tears, and maybe a little teasing from Fred about how she kept everyone in line down here. Becky Lyon will be remembered for her compassion, her strength, her devotion to family, and the warmth she brought into every life she touched. Her legacy of love, faith, and kindness will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home in Moss Point, MS. Funeral service will follow in the funeral home chapel with dear family friend, Pastor Bill Pettus, officiating beginning at 2:00 p.m. Graveside service will be held on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Shady Grove Cemetery in Laurel, MS, at 2:00 p.m. To view or sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Evelin Rebecca Lyon

March 25, 1948 - May 18, 2026