JD Lyman

JD Lyman, 90, of Fayetteville; died Sunday, December 20, 2020, at Countryside Assisted Living Memory Center. He was born Tuesday, June 17, 1930, at Loy; to Steve and Ada Walker Lyman. JD married Amboline Gurley Lyman on Friday, October 5, 1956 at ; and together they were parents to one son, Michael. JD worked three jobs in the early years of his marriage to support his family. He received his Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate of Education degrees from the University of Arkansas, and was an educator for 42 years. JD will be remembered as a devout Christian; he was a member of New Sulphur Freewill Baptist Church where he served as deacon. He enjoyed trail riding, going all over the country with his friends, riding his mule. He and Amboline also traveled all over the country with their 5the wheel camper, At 85 years of age, JD obtained his certified nursing assistant license to take care of Amboline. At that time, he was the oldest person to obtain such a license. Before his Alzheimer's diagnosis, JD loved fishing with family and friends, raising cattle, and being on his farm. JD was preceded in death by wife of 62 years, Amboline; his parents; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Jewell and Charlie Dotson, and Lula and Wesley Reynolds; Chleo and John Faulkner; and Rheau and Dean Watkins; one sister-in-law, Sue Hathorn and husband, Raymond; one brother-in-law, Curtis Grigg; and one nephew, Carl. He is survived by his son, Michael Lyman, and best friend, Paula Willis, of Fayetteville, one sister, Bertha Easterling of Huntsville; sister-in-law, Donnie Jean Grigg of Kingston; brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Frances Gurley of Flagstaff, Arizona; and many nieces and nephews. JD will lie in state from noon to 5:00 PM, Tuesday, December 22, at Brashears Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at Liberty Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest beside the love of his life, with Bob Dotson officiating. Pallbearers will be Randy Watkins, Jim Watkins, Roger Watkins, Bobby Dotson, Dale Dotson, and Rodney Reynolds. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to consider donations in JD's name to Arkansas Children's Hospital, 2601 Gene George Blvd, Springdale, AR 72762 or giving@archildrens.org. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Countryside Memory Center for the excellent care JD received at their facility. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

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JD Lyman

June 17, 1930 - December 20, 2020