Donna Lee Lyons was born on April 17, 1936 to Edward and Helen Crysler in Dearborn Michigan. Her life became more difficult when her parents separated and her Mom was put into a hospital. It was during this time of feeling alone and abandoned that her high school friend invited her to an evangelistic youth meeting in downtown Detroit. During this meeting Donna heard and understood that God loved her and that Jesus had come to pay for her sin and welcome her into his family. That night she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. She began attending the Temple Baptist Church with her high school friend, Joy. As she grew in the faith she felt a call to missions and when she graduated from High School she went to Springfield, Missouri and enrolled at Baptist Bible College. It was there she met Boyd Lyons. Donna was from the big city Detroit and Boyd was from a small country town in Iowa. They fell in love and were married on December 16, 1955. After leaving college they went to New York State to plant a church. From there they moved to Georgia and then to Florida to plant another church. Three children were born, Edward, Gregory, and Cheryl. In 1963 God impressed them to surrender to be missionaries to the Philippines. In 1965 Boyd and Donna and their three children boarded a ship for a 21 day trip to Manila. The Philippines became their home and they have lived in the Philippines for over 50 years. Their family has grown to include many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 61 years Boyd Lyons, her son Edward who is married to Cindy and their five children; Tiffany, Holly, Robert, Coco and James, Son Gregory who is married to LuAnn and their six children; Luke, Cory, Jessica, Jake, Micah and Alexandra. They have 9 great grandchildren. One great grandchild Corbett preceded her in death. She is also survived by daughter Cheryl Lyons Lontoc who is married to Dan Lontoc and their three children, Charles, Chanel and Calvin.
Donna loved serving the Lord and touched many lives. She was a chalk artist who used her art to present the gospel. She was a Bible College professor and mentor to many who are now in the ministry and She loved to minister to Women through the Women’s ministry. One of her great passions was to help people in need through the Medical Ministry she started. Over the 53 years she and her husband Boyd Lyons served as missionaries in the Philippines they have been a part of over 300 church plants. She will be greatly missed.
The Memorial Service for Donna Lee Lyons, will be held at High Street Baptist Church in Springfield, MO on November 2, 2017. The Visitation will be at 10:00 AM in the auditorium with the service following at 11:00 AM.
A memorial fund in memory of Donna Lyons to provide scholarships for Bible College students in Manila has been established. If you would like to contribute to this fund you may do so by sending your contribution to High Street Baptist Church, or by clicking here.