Penelope Craig Matthews Lyon, born February 26, 1924 in Monroe, Louisiana, died peacefully on Friday, November 14, 2014 in Clinton, South Carolina.
Craig spent 27 years at Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, working in various capacities with her favorite being that of college hostess. Through those years she worked with thousands of students, faculty, and staff. She is remembered by them for her faithfulness, her gentle spirit, and her love for her Lord. Her life exemplified the college motto, “In all things Christ preeminent.”
Mrs. Lyon was predeceased by her parents, Will B. and Penelope Smith Matthews, her husband, Robert (Bud) Edward Lyon, two brothers, Will B. Matthews and Arthur H. Matthews, a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Lyon Kipness, and a special nephew, Charles Edwin Ledbetter.
She is survived by her children, Paul (Jane) Lyon of Charlotte, North Carolina, Arralee Lyon Hays of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Steven (Barbara) Chad Lyon of Irvine, California. She is also survived by a brother, Neill S. Matthews of Shreveport, Louisiana and a special aunt, Katherine D. Yates of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Craig is survived by 10 grandchildren: Craig (Lana) Lyon, Chris (Hallie) Lyon, Kim (Phil) Spier, Henry (Melissa) Hays, Presley (Brett) Whidden, Bud Lyon, Meg (Matt) Hanna, Robert (Michelle) Stiglets, Tara (Tom) Walsh and Elizabeth Thompson. Also surviving are 18 great-grandchildren, whom she adored and prayed for daily.
While her large family was not geographically close, Craig enjoyed traveling to their homes and welcoming them to hers. She spent hours on the phone every week catching up with all of them. In addition to caring for them, Craig had treasured friends all over the world whom she remembered fondly. She enjoyed sharing her famous custard and her beautiful roses from her garden with her loved ones. The churches in the communities in which she lived were the center of her life. She loved serving others and worshiping with fellow believers. It is often said of Craig that she rarely met a stranger because she could usually connect them to someone she knew.
Truly, Craig was welcomed into heaven with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Clinton, South Carolina, on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m. Visitation will follow in the sanctuary. A memorial service will be held in Monroe, La., at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Ruston, La.
In early 2015, a memorial service will be held at Covenant College.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Covenant College, 14049 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, Ga. 30750.