James "Doyle" Lytle

James “Doyle” Lytle, age 71, of the Montford Cove Community, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at his residence.  The son of Helen Lytle Groner of Tampa, Florida, he was born in McDowell County, North Carolina on February 05, 1950. 

A veteran of the United States Army, Doyle was an avid fisherman.  A “diehard” University of North Carolina Basketball fan, Doyle was employed with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for 35 years.  He had received the 30 plus years of dedicated service to the Division 13 Equipment Department award. Doyle truly loved spending time and making wonderful memories with his grandchildren.

He is survived by, in addition to his mother, his three daughters, Kristi Mann, Heather Vess (Andy) and Sabrina Winters (Randy); eight grandchildren, William Mann, Devon Burleson, Preston Burleson, Caiden Burleson, Landon Burleson, Alex Stacy, Sierra Stacy and Destiny Hart; two great grandchildren; two brothers, Larry Groner and Michael Groner; one sister, Diane Kelly; and a special friend, Rita Maxwell.

A service to celebrate the life of Doyle will be held on Wednesday, April 07, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service with military honors provided by the United States Army.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home.  A private family burial will be held on Thursday, April 08, 2021 at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Lytle’s memory are asked to consider, Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 or by visiting www.woundedwarriorproject.org.