Michael Ray Lyles, 70, of Calvert City, Kentucky, passed away on August 16, 2026, at the Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah, surrounded by family.
Mike was born May 12, 1956, in Paducah, Kentucky, to the late Harold Lyles and Barbara Flood Johnson. Having never met a stranger, Michael loved people, and his positive personality always found a way to brighten others' days. Even while faced with the cancer that took him from us, his smile never faded.
He was a proud Teamster with Local 236 out of Paducah. Throughout the years, he worked many jobs as a truck driver, then at Matlack and Trimac, where he eventually retired, but he wasn’t done working yet. He later went back to work and began driving for B&N Excavating and Trucking. Sometime around 2004, Mike learned how to play bass. In the years that followed, he played with a variety of groups, but spent most of his time with the Stanley Walker Band and with Sammy Jo Walker. Mike used his gift to praise the Lord by playing bass at Zion's Cause Baptist Church, where he was also a member. He often said music was his therapy, and he was proud knowing that playing brought joy to so many people.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Sandy Stevenson Lyles; two sisters, Leslie Ford (Neal) of Symsonia and Jennifer McLeod of Paducah; his daughter, Cassie Lyles of Louisville; his son, Hunter Lyles (Mykayla Vick) of Calvert City; three cherished granddaughters, Raylee Lyles, Charlee Lyles, and Millee Lyles; several nieces and nephews; and so many others who would claim him as their dad, brother, friend, and their Papa Lyles. We know he was loved and will be missed by so many.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Lyles and Barbara Johnson; and his stepfather, Jim Johnson, all of Symsonia.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center, 1530 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, KY 42003, or to Compassus Living Foundation online at https://compassuslivingfoundation.org/give-now/.
Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann, 1003 Poplar Street, Benton, Kentucky 42025.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann, with Bro. Wes Morehead officiating. Burial will follow at Symsonia Cemetery.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit Mike’s Tribute Wall at www.filbeckandcann.com.
