Lyles, Jeanette Irene – Chattanoogan.com

Jeanette Irene Lyles, daughter of the late George and Elizabeth Cottman, was born on March 22, 1944, in Salisbury, Maryland. She departed this life on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Jeanette was raised on the Eastern Shores of Maryland where she was also educated in the public school system and went on to become the only graduate from a family of eight. She and her siblings grew up in the small community of Allen, Maryland. Jeanette graduated from Salisbury High School, and shortly thereafter, she moved to Birmingham, Alabama for a couple of years and later returned to Salisbury, Maryland. Jeanette was the loving mother of five daughters. She would later become an awesome grandmother to nine grandchildren and a proud great-grandmother of one great-grandchild.

Early in her adult life, Jeanette accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was a devout member of Enon Baptist Church of Deliverance in Crisfield, Maryland for many years. It was here that she received her Baptism. She was also a member of the Friendship Community Choir at Friendship United Methodist Church in Allen, Maryland for several years. Jeanette received her Business Management certification after successfully completing a full course in Hotel and Restaurant Management. She was employed as Head of Housekeeping over Murphy’s Hall, at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. After 20 years of service, she retired and moved to the DC, Virginia, Maryland Tri-state area. She later relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee to reside with her eldest daughter. Jeanette would live out the remainder of her life here, creating many more lasting memories with her family.

Among those who preceded Jeanette in death include her parents, George and Elizabeth Cottman; brother, Randolph Cottman; sisters, Marion Barkley, Delphine Black, and Gertrude Cook. 

Jeanette leaves to cherish her memories, five loving daughters: Janice Dowdell, Jennifer Dowdell, Jacqueline Brown, Jeanette Dowdell-Buchanan, and Julia Dowdell; nine grandchildren: Jenice Burns, Jre Hunter, Jennifer Aquinaga, Jason Dowdell-Parker, Jaharra Dowdell, Andre Curry, Jessica Wright, Jevic Dowdell, and Jru Wright; one great-grandchild: Jiah Burns; three sisters: Diane Reddick, Sylvia Matthews, and Rita Van Vliet; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

Public viewing will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12, at the funeral home, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. in the chapel.

Interment will be in Forest Hills Cemetery.

Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.