Yvonne Lewis Ryals

Yvonne L. Ryals, affectionately known to many as “Micki”, began her life’s journey on April 30, 1944, Brunswick, Georgia, where she was born to Ernest Lewis, Sr. and Clara Bell Grant Childs. Yvonne was the first born in the family of four. She was a born leader that took her eldest role seriously and was the thread that held the family unit together.

In meeting her you can attest to the fact that she was truly the definition of what living life to the fullest should look like. Her very presence radiated throughout any room that she was in, and her infectious smile and laugh sent a sense of calming relief that provided a comfortable space for anyone.

She was reared and educated in the local public schools of Glynn County, Brunswick, Georgia. She was a graduate of the Class of 1962 from Risley High School. During her school years, she participated in various sports such as basketball and track. She was the head drum majorette her junior and senior year of high school. After graduating from high school, she attended Boston University momentarily.

Many don’t have the fortune of marrying and loving their high school sweetheart for over fifty years, but Yvonne did. She married the love of her life, Virgil L. Ryals, Sr., on September 22, 1963, and to their union were born Virgil, Jr., and Valerie.

Yvonne was a hard worker and spent years working for Southern Bell Telephone Company in Brunswick, Georgia until her retirement. Even after retirement she returned to the workforce, becoming a paraprofessional in the Glynn County School System at Risley Alternative School.

Yvonne was a dedicated and a lifelong member of St. Athanasius’ Episcopal Church. She was the true description of benevolence. She served as a Lay Minister and worked diligently to reflect the love of Christ within her community. She exercised her faith in both her church and family life within the community.

Being a lover of bowling, she and her husband Virgil along with others, co-founded the Beachcombers Bowling Club in Brunswick, Georgia where she was an avid member. Although she loved bowling, she loved to travel, cook, and have a good time with family and friends. If you ever partook in one of the legendary Ryals’ Christmas parties, you could attest that she was a beautiful ball of love and light. She was known for her infamous red velvet cakes, Italian cream cakes and Chinese chews.

Yvonne was proceeded in death by her mother and father, Clara Bell Grant Childs and Ernest Lewis, Sr.; the love of her life and husband, Virgil Ryals, Sr.; and her only son, Virgil Ryals, Jr. She has passed the baton of her legacy to her daughter Valerie L. Ryals, who she leaves to not mourn but rejoice along with sisters, Theresa L. Scott, and Shelia L. Walls; her daughters in love, Latricia King, Ly’Kesha Simmons, Juliana Boateng, Michelle Hollowell and Akika Gavin; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and wonderful friends.