Patricia Stevens Lyons

Patricia Stevens Lyons, 79, of Kansas City, MO, passed away Thursday, May 5, 2016, following a 12-year battle with breast cancer. Patricia was born August 6, 1936, the daughter of John and Nola Darg, in Bennington, KS. She graduated from Kansas State University in 1958 with a Bachelor's Degree in English and Political Science and went on to earn her Master's Degree in Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1991. In 1982, Patricia married Michael Lyons, a full-time calligraphist, who later followed her to the classroom.In 1958, Patricia began her teaching career in the Kansas City, KS school district. After a few years of teaching, she delved into the world of politics, working for Richard Bolling, Missouri's 5th District Congressman and for the Ford Foundation traveling to all 50 states promoting equality for all. In the late 1970's she returned to the Kansas City, MO school district as an instructional motivator before returning to the high school classroom to teach English, Social Studies and Journalism. In 1998 she retired from Southwest High School, when the school was closed. For the next six years, she continued working part-time with students through Sylvan Learning Center and the KCMO middle schools. Her illustrious 32-year teaching career touched the lives of too many students to count with her caring and loving ways.Patricia joined the John Knox Presbyterian Kirk in 2005, serving as an elder on the church's session, and as a member of the worship committee and Presbyterian women's association. She was a member of the Heartland Presbytery Church Development and Redevelopment committee. For the past several years, she served as a lay pastor for the LaTour Presbyterian Church in LaTour, MO.Her interests included playing bridge, listening to swing and jazz music, cats and all things sports. She especially loved her K-State teams and cheering on the Kansas City Royals.Survivors include her husband of 34 years, Michael; brother Richard Darg and wife Margaret, Bennington, KS; sister-in-law Gina Lyons, Kansas City, MO; brothers-in-law James Lyons, Fresno, CA and Leland Lyons, Compton, CA; god-daughter Lisa Schlehuber, husband Craig Gibson and daughter Charlotte, Easton, PA; an aunt, an uncle, several cousins, nieces and nephews, a host of friends and her cat Raven.Patricia's Memorial Service will be held at 1pm, Thursday, May 12th at John Knox Presbyterian Kirk, 11430 Wornall Rd, KCMO followed by a Reception in the atrium of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials in honor of Patricia be donated to Cherith Brook, 3308 E 12th St, KCMO, 64127.


A reception will be held in the atrium of the church following Patricia's Memorial Service. SERVICES Memorial Service
Thursday, May 12, 2016 1:00 PM
John Knox Kirk Presbyterian Church 11430 Wornall Rd Kansas City, mo 64114

A reception will be held in the atrium of the church following Patricia's Memorial Service.