Memorial service for Mrs. Minnie Miriam Westbrook Kyle of Peoria, IL will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Zion Baptist Church, 323 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Peoria, Illinois. Graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, December 28, 2020, at Valhalla Memorial Gardens.
She transitioned to her heavenly home at 12:46 am on Monday, December 21, 2020 at her residence surrounded by her family. Born to Horace Greeley and Viola Ellison Westbrook in Elgin, Texas, Minnie Miriam Westbrook Kyle 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 the 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.
Mrs. Kyle was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, William Spenser Kyle, and a beloved daughter, Yvonne. She is survived by three sons: Kevin Kyle of Peoria, Illinois; William Kyle of Orlando, Florida; and Greeley Kyle of Belchertown, Massachusetts. She also will be remembered by her 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
