TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE DEATH OF MAYOR BURLEY L. LYONS OF EDISTO BEACH AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the recent death of Mayor Burley L. Lyons of Edisto Beach on January 28, 2015, at the venerable age of eighty; and

Whereas, born in the Fire Hill Community of Colleton County near Walterboro, Burley Lyons was born the son of Berry and Edna Lyons on December 14, 1934. A graduate of Walterboro High School, he attended Clemson University and graduated from the University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, he married his high-school sweetheart, Shirley Tippins. The couple parented three children, Susan, Kenneth, and Burley Lawton, Jr., who have given their parents the joy of seven grandchildren; and

Whereas, after graduation, Mayor Lyons taught school and coached football in Pickens. He and his father owned and operated Lyons Furniture Company in Barnwell. After selling the furniture business, he moved to Edisto Beach, where he and Shirley owned and managed the Lyons Company, a real-estate and property-management business; and

Whereas, Burley Lyons was very active in city government. He served eight years on town council before becoming the mayor of Edisto Beach and had proudly served as mayor for the past twenty years before his passing. Under his leadership, the town made many major improvements while remaining the "family beach" of South Carolina. Mayor Lyons was part of the original group that started the Edisto Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he was a partner in developing Island Cove, a private residential community on Edisto Beach, and Oyster Park, a commercial development on Highway 174. He also was instrumental in helping start "Cousins' Day," a gathering of cousins who have met together each month for more than twenty-nine years in the Lowcountry; and

Whereas, he leaves to cherish his memory his wife of sixty years, Shirley Tippins Lyons; his children, Susan Lyons Pratt (Robert) of Columbia, Kenneth Lawton Lyons (Kim) of Lexington, and Burley Lawton Lyons, Jr., of Germantown, Tennessee; his seven grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the death of Mayor Burley L. Lyons of Edisto Beach and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Mrs. Shirley Tippins Lyons for the family and to the Town of Edisto Beach.