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Yolunda "Yogi" Lyles

Sunrise:  March 5, 1972                              Sunset August 16, 2024

Yolunda Patrice Lyles passed away Friday, August 16, 2024, Born March 5, 1972 in Memphis Tennessee, she was the daughter of Patricia Lester Lyles and Gipson Lyles III.  She was a beautiful and lively child whose early years were filled with normal youthful activities despite her illness starting at three years old.  She loved to dance and enjoyed dance lessons in tap and ballet.  Her love of music was also rooted in taking early piano lessons, attending operas, concerts and the Ice Capades.  She sang in the Walker Memorial Christian Church Children's Choir and loved to watch movies.  Yogi loved her CDs, her boombox and her Gospel music.  Most of all, she loved Jesus and had a special relationship with Him!

Yogi liked participating in Special Olympics athletics such as running track and roller skating.  Despite seizures stealing her health at such an early age, she never lost her joy and love of life!

She enjoyed puzzles, computers and life in general as much as she could.  Yogi had the pleasure of attending a prom while enrolled in classes at Shelby Residential Vocational Services (SRVS).  She was so popular the guys would fight over who would push her wheelchair.  Chris won, but Michael would bring her gifts!  While uncontrollable seizures and other medical conditions made attending classes difficult for her.  Yogi received tutoring and homebound instruction from the Memphis Center for Exceptional Children.

Yogi touched many lives and was deeply loved.

A month before her illness took such a dramatic turn, Yogi told Pat "I'm going to miss you" and "My mama takes good care of me!" She sensed that it would be soon time to leave her medical conditions behind and go to be with the Lord.

Her grandparents, Rev. Herbert Lester Sr and Juanita White Lester, Gipson Lyles Jr and Josephine Lyles preceded Yogi in death as well as Grandma Ollie and Pops.

Survivors include her parents: Patricia Lester and Gipson Lyles III (Joyce); siblings: Michele Lyles and Gipson Lyles IV (Claudia); aunts: Dr. Faye Patterson (Arthur), Norma Alexander, Deanna Lester, Delores Cain and uncle: Andrew Lyles (Ollie).  She also leaves a host of cousins and friends.

Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM.  Memorial Park Cemetery South Woods, 5485 Hacks Cross Rd., Memphis, TN 38125