SALISBURY – James Brown Lyerly, of Salisbury, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight; my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

A memorial service is pending for James Brown Lyerly, 67, who passed away Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at Rowan Regional Medical Center from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Born July 27, 1939, in Salisbury, he was the son of Florence Pickler Miller and the late James Luther Lyerly. He was educated in the Salisbury-Rowan schools and attended Catawba College, where he received an English degree with a minor in Bible Studies. He also attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbia, S.C., and he completed several internships at churches in South Carolina and Tennessee. He obtained his Master of Arts from Appalachian State University and began his assistant teaching in 1961.

He was an English teacher for many years and taught at Central Davidson High School and Davidson Community College, Lexington, where he shared his wealth of knowledge with hundreds of students. A divinity teacher and student, he enjoyed researching, learning and sharing knowledge about the Lord. He taught Sunday School for years and led and participated in many Biblical workshops. He was a member of Meadowview Presbyterian Church in Lexington.

Active in the community, he worked for many years as a counselor and cook at Ambassador Camp at Lake Waccamaw, where he instructed hundreds of children how to work and grow up to be active in the religious community. He also owned and managed Miller Cove Campground at High Rock Lake in Rowan County. He enjoyed mechanics, building, research and studying, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and his brand new granddaughter.

On Christmas Day, he enjoyed the company of his family for a wonderful celebration of this special day and he provided the blessing for the entire family. He also held his three-week old granddaughter for hours with pride and love. His favorite Christmas hymn had always been “Joy to the World.”

James Lyerly was deeply loved by his family and members of the community. He was an honest man with a strong moral character, who always stood up for what was right, even in the face of adversity. Indeed, he “walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart,” Psalm 15:2. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife, Paige Fowler Lyerly, and mother, Florence Pickler Miller, of Salisbury; daughters Sara Draper and husband Charles of Apex, Laura Lyerly of Salisbury; brother Cicero Lyerly and wife Margaret; sister Edith Cauble and husband Gene; mother-in-law Olive Fowler; nephews Luther Lyerly, Paul Cauble and wife Gail, all of Salisbury; Whitney Fowler and wife Ellen, of Columbia, S.C.; niece Kim Williams and husband Randall of Carthage; and granddaughter Sophia Elise Draper of Apex.

Service: A memorial service for Mr. Lyerly will be held at a later date pending recovery of his wife, Paige Fowler Lyerly. She is currently at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Summersett Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements for the service.

Know that the Lord, He is God. He has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:3-5