Cindy Lyles

Cindy Sue Lyles, 70, passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of November 26, 2025. There was undoubtedly a joyous homecoming in Heaven celebrating  the beautiful life she lived here on earth. Cindy was born on February 27, 1955, at Heights Hospital in Houston, Texas to Allen and Vernice Nuemann. She was baptized into the Christian faith on June 12, 1955 in Houston. Her family moved to the Zionsville area of Brenham when she was a young child.

She attended Harrisburg School, Alamo School, and finished her education as a graduating senior of the Brenham High School class of 1973. She had fond memories of each of these schools and was excited to attend the Harrisburg School reunion this past year, could still sing the school song for Alamo School, and was a proud member of the Brenham High School band, playing the alto saxophone. She never missed an “It’s A70’s Thing” class reunion, always ready for a chance to visit with her favorite classmates, Cookie and Ruth.

Growing up the oldest of four siblings, she shared many adventures out in the country with Veryl, Jay, and Barbara. She practiced softball out in the yard with her brothers, shared a room with her little sister, and often locked them all out of the house so she could clean. One of her favorite memories was singing along to the record, “These Boots are Made for Walking,” with Barbara sitting on top of the record player. She also loved playing with and visiting her cousins, Denise, Brian, Bradley, and Terry, as well as eating watermelon and butter bread at her grandparent’s house. When she was old enough to drive, her dad bought her a car she called the “Paddy Wagon,” and he painted it popsicle orange so he could always find her car around town. She loved being able to chauffeur friends and family around.

Cindy’s faith deepened at Zion Lutheran Church. She was confirmed on March 30, 1969,and enjoyed helping with Vacation Bible School as a teenager, playing volleyball with the Luther League, and being a part of the Zionsville 4-H Club. Through 4-H she showed lambs and steers at the Washington County Fair, learned how to sew, and participated in skits for the talent show competitions.

During high school, Cindy’s first job was at K&N Root Beer as a carhop. She loved serving mugs of root beer to the football players after Friday night football games. Later, she would become a seamstress for Nats Tiny Tots, putting final embroidery touches on baby clothes. In the mid-1970s, Cindy moved to Houston and started work as a secretary for several lumber companies. Known as a loyal employee, she prided herself in staying late until the job was done.

One fateful night in 1978, Cindy hesitantly accompanied her cousin, Denise, to a dance at Dance Town USA. This guy with a long beard, long hair, and a plaid shirt with his sleeves unbuttoned, asked her to dance. She told him that she didn’t know how to dance ,but Denise said, “Yes, she does!” and pushed her out to the dance floor. Donald Lyles, Jr.(Donnie) would become her favorite dance partner for life, as well as her favorite bowling partner.

Donnie and Cindy were married on April 17, 1982, at Zion Lutheran Church. Cindy’s dream as a young girl, was to grow up to be a mom, and her dream came true when she and Donnie welcomed three beautiful children into their family, Bobbi Jo, Justin, and Ashley. She faithfully introduced Christ to her children by becoming active in the Holy Cross Lutheran Church congregation in Houston. In the fall of 1988, Cindy and Donnie moved from Houston to Brenham, where they would raise their family in the same home that Cindy grew up in. She gave her whole heart into being there for her family from attending baseball and football games, 4-H events, dance recitals, family reunions, and she loved celebrating the people she loved at birthday parties, baby showers, and weddings.

Cindy became a vital part of the Brenham community by giving her time and talents to the many jobs and service organizations she was a part of. She worked at Creekside Veterinary Clinic, Rudloff Brick and Tile, Green Grain Feed and Seed, Parts and More, and her favorite job was being the youth director at Zion Lutheran Church. She spent twenty years taking kids on mission trips across the United States and into Canada ,attending ELCA Youth Gatherings, summer nights at Lutherhill, hours preparing for the annual Christmas program and drive-thru nativity, writing Hee Haw scripts for the annual fundraiser, teaching confirmation, Christmas caroling and singing in the church choir and watching all the sporting events of her youth members. Being asked to be Ella Pieper’s “Faith Friend” during confirmation was a special honor she held dear to her heart.

Cindy was also a member of the After 5 TEEA Club, the 4-H Parents Association, a loyal supporter and committee member for the Commercial Steers Program, a former president of the Wildlife Club of Washington County, and the food distribution coordinator for Burton Bridge Ministries. Every Friday she looked forward to delivering food to Zion’s shut-ins and sharing the love of Christ with them .If there was a festival or parade in town, you could find Cindy there. She loved Zion’s Mardi Gras Pancake Supper, watching her dad ride his Farmall tractor in the Round Top Fourth of July Parade, singing polka songs with the church choir at Maifest, parking cars with the 4-H Exchange Club at Bluebonnet and Scarecrow Festivals, getting the past fair queens together for the Washington County Fair Parade, and lighting up floats for the annual Lighted Christmas Parade in downtown Brenham. Cindy started her all-time favorite job on March 3, 2010, when her first grandchild, Brazos, was born. The title of “Granny” meant the world to her. She wanted to witness all the joy of her two grandchildren by attending every birthday party, school program, choir concert, band concert, half-time shows, summer camps, ringing the Salvation Army bells together, 5 shopping trips to the American Girl Store and daily trips to Sonic for Route 44 Unsweet Tea with lots of ice and a lemon or Los Cabos queso and chips. She shared a special bond with Brazos and Sandy, and they will always cherish the memories they shared with their Granny, especially their road trips to her favorite spot, the Kemah Boardwalk.

When Cindy entered her retirement years, she enjoyed traveling to Branson, watching Hallmark movies, going to Thursday night BINGO at the Sons of Herman Lodge, cheering on the Brenham Cubs, and doing as much as she could with her family. She also never missed a chance to go out to eat, and many local restaurants knew her order by heart. When her cancer diagnosis came, Donnie was her steady rock and stood by her side through many doctor appointments, hospital visits, and caring for her at home. When she was called home to Heaven, we are sure that she heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Cindy is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Donnie Lyles; her daughter, Bobbi Jo Supak and her husband Matt of Brenham; her son, Justin Lyles of Temple; and her two grandchildren, Brazos and Sandy Supak. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Gremmel and husband Chris of Bellville; sister-in-law Deynene Neumann of Burton; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins, and the many youth that she ha the honor to work with over the years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Vernice Neumann; her brothers, Veryl Neumann and Jay Neumann; her daughter, Ashley Nicole Lyles; and her parents-in-law, Don and Angela Lyles of Houston.

Pallbearers will be her nephews: Chadd Neumann, Blake Gremmel, and Nickolas Neumann, along with young men from her youth ministry, Sean Rosenbaum, Matthew Conner, and Shane Hahn. Four young ladies that were a special part of her youth ministry will be honorary pallbearers: Jill Rosenbaum, Leah Blum, Leslie Little Hedgpeth, and Ella Pieper.

If you would like to make a donation in Cindy’s honor, please consider donating to Lutherhill Ministries in LaGrange, a place where Cindy spent many summers sharing the love of Christ with the youth in our community.

A visitation for Cindy will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Memorial Oaks Chapel located at 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, Texas. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 3:00 pm at Zion Lutheran Church located at 1800 FM 2679, Brenham, Texas with the burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel located at 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, Texas. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com