Tributes

Mrs. Minnie Miriam (Westbrook) Kyle, 95, of Peoria, Illinois transitioned to her heavenly home at 12:46 am on Monday, December 21, 2020 at her residence surrounded by her family. Minnie was born on February 17, 1925 in Elgin, Texas to Horace Greeley and Viola (Ellison) Westbrook. Minnie was the last survivor of ten children. Nicknamed “Baby Sis,” she grew up on a “truck farm” and saved the money she earned picking cotton to partially pay for her higher education. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Prairie View A&M University and her Master of Arts degree from the University of Alabama, prior to pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Houston. Throughout her 95 years, Mrs. Kyle impacted thousands as a wife, mother, educator and lifelong church member. She will long be described by people who knew her as genuinely kind, witty, insightful and caring. For over 40 years, she was a loyal member of Locust Grove Baptist Church in New Market, Alabama, where she taught the “Yahoo!” Sunday School class for active seniors. After nearly 30 years of teaching at Alabama A&M University, she was appropriately recognized for almost 50 years of service “to better the lives of families and children.” Indeed, Mrs. Kyle was a woman ahead of her time. Minnie Kyle’s affiliations include: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Zion Baptist Church, Head Start, Alabama Association for Young Children, Child Development Association, Huntsville Daycare Association, Mental Health Association, Parents Advisory Committee for Macon County, Stop Child Abuse and Neglect, Volunteer Action Center, Locust Grove Baptist Church (New Market, AL), ZBC Mother’s Guild, LAMRON Club, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), Alabama Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the National Child Development Institute (NBCD). Mrs. Kyle relocated to Peoria, IL in 2009 and lived life to the fullest until her health began to fail. She was a fighter and was blessed to have caregivers and friends who were devoted to providing her support and assistance throughout her health challenges. Bea Gulley was like a devoted daughter and served her faithfully for many years. Mother Kyle leaves a legacy of love to cherish her memory. March 7, 1954, she married William Spencer Kyle Sr. in Austin, Texas, a fellow Prairie View student who went on to a 24-year career in the U.S. Army. After 33 years of marriage, Sgt. Kyle preceded her in death in 1987, as did their daughter Yvonne who died at age 9 in 1964. Mrs. Kyle is survived by three sons: Kevin Kyle, Peoria, IL. William (Roxanne), Rockledge, FL., and their children: Tammy (Gary) Salter Mims, FL., their children Shai, Shameria (Andrew) Roland, Sierra, Sanaya; Minnie (Marcus) Orr, Titusville, FL., and their children Lauren and Ryan; Amelia (Louis) Stewart, Seattle, WA.; Kailyn Kyle, Tampa, FL.; Greeley (Olga) Kyle, Belchertown, MA., and their children Sasha and Vianka and Greeley (Glenna) Kyle, Fayette, MO., and their children Jason (Shanna), Louisville, Ky.; Gary, Columbia, MO., and his children Elias, Grace and Aiden; Nichole, Columbia, MO., and her children Natasha, Jazmine, Marc, Keira; Bobby, Stoddard, NH., and his children Samara and Genisis; Victoria, Columbia, MO., and her children Alyssa, Zoey and Deacon; Catherine, Kansas City, MO. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 26, 2020, at Zion Baptist Church, 323 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Peoria, Illinois, with a visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Samuel Duren will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 28, 2020, at Valhalla Funeral Home & Memory Gardens, located at 698 Winchester Road NE, Huntsville, Alabama with a visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Gary Salter, Jr. of Melbourne Love Center Church will officiate. Simons Mortuary is entrusted with local arrangements. Online condolences may be made at SimonsMortuary.com. Nelms Memorial Funeral Home, 2501 Carmichael Ave. NW, Huntsville, AL is entrusted to the Alabama arrangements.

Tributes

Mrs. Minnie Miriam (Westbrook) Kyle

February 17, 1925 - December 21, 2020