Shearwood Lyons

Shearwood Winston Lyons passed away June 18, 2024 at his home with his family.

Mr. Lyons was a lifelong resident of the Vicksburg community. Shearwood graduated from Jett High School in 1947 where he played football and basketball. He retired as a captain from the Vicksburg Fire Department after 21 years of service and worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Vicksburg District Mat Sinking Unit for a year before retiring with 16 years of service as a security guard from Waterways Experiment Station. He was married to the love of his life Wilma Allen Lyons for nearly 70 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife Wilma Allen Lyons; parents J.B. and Velma Lyons; siblings Lorena Gullett; D.W. Lyons; Katherine Lyons; Edith Farmer; Fay Parker; Bobby Lyons; and Larry Lyons.

Mr. Lyons is survived by his sisters Ann Lobred; and Annette King (Ross); three sons Sherwood Lyons, Jr. (Melissa), Joe Lyons (Cindy), and Mike Lyons (Kayla), and two daughters Vickie Williamson (Darrell) and Belynda Waring (Howard); 14 grandchildren Winston Lyons, Cassidy Pickens, Allen Lyons (LeeAnna), Craig Williamson (Kala), Cris Williamson (Stacie), Michael David Williamson, Joey Lyons (Shannon), Laura Beth Strickland (Michael), Leslie Hosemann (Mark), Charles Waring (Lauren), Natalie Muirhead (Jordan), Pierson Waring (Madelon), Kyle Bolton and Elan Lyons; and 30 great-grandchildren Kaitlyn Wikstrom (Harley); Presley Pickens; Slade, Adelyn, and Anna Layne Lyons; Josh and Kenley Williamson; Mollee, Gracie, Jake, Edge, Reason, and Michael Maize Williamson; Reese, Joseph, and Crosby Lyons; May, Michael, Hunter, and Hadley Strickland; Manse, Howard, and Bobby Hosemann; Veo and Charlie Waring; Ben and Waring Muirhead; and Daniel, Mary Cline, and Sherwood “Woods” Waring; and 1 great-great grandchild Kimber Wikstrom. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.

Visitation will be Friday June 21 at 2:00 pm prior to the funeral service at 3:00 pm at Riles Funeral Home in Vicksburg, Miss. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Garden Cemetery. Officiating is Pastor Roger Cresswell.

Pall bearers are Winston Lyons, Allen Lyons, Craig Williamson, Cris Williamson, Michael David Williamson, Joey Lyons, Charles Waring, Pierson Waring, and Elan Lyons. Honorary pall bearers are Kyle Bolton, Craig Allen, Larry Burroughs, Melvin Ragan, Steve Randall, Howard Brent, and the Vicksburg Fire Department. The family would like to thank special caregivers Stephanie Squire, Rose Hunt, Shanna Wright, Janelle Williams, Elesie Chambers, Anita, Pat Wilson, Rena Cain, Tiffany Walker, Linda Neal, Edna Taylor and Michelle Bailey, the staff of Enhabit Hospice, Dr. Sam Pierce, and Baleigh Ford.

He loved the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was always caring for others. He loved to be around people sharing stories and making others laugh. His laugh and giggle were his most memorable traits.

He was a true outdoorsman spending a great amount of time hunting, fishing, and gardening. His greatest pride and joy were his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He especially loved to share his love of deer hunting at the family property at Chotard. He loved to ride with his oldest son to take care of the cows and to go fishing. He loved to share his garden with friends and family, especially his tomatoes. He enjoyed watching sporting events and sharing his old tricks to excel in each game.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Micah’s Mission, 900 Crawford Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180, Little Light House of Central Mississippi, 6000 Old Canton Rd, Jackson, MS 39211, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101.