Ernestine Lyons

Ernestine “Stine” Lyons was the last child born to Leroy and Maybelle Lyons in Muskegon, MI, on September 13, 1949. Affectionately known as Toni by most of her friends. In her early years, the family moved to Idlewild (Woodland Park), and eventually settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a place that would remain close to her heart.

In 1967, she graduated from Ottawa Hills High school and she went on to pursue an associates degree at Grand Rapids community college and taught at South high school.

Stine then pursued an engineering career at General Motors for many years. Stine’s greatest pride and joy was her daughter, Michelle, who remained at the very center of her world. Their bond was powerful, honest, and rooted in love that didn’t need to be explained—just felt.

As the youngest of the Lyons bunch, you couldn’t tell her nothing. You never had to wonder what she was thinking because Stine never sugar-coated anything. Stine said what was on her mind, and she meant what she said. Sometimes misunderstood for her bluntness, the truth is Stine simply didn’t know how to be anything but real, and she loved her family with everything in her.

To know Stine was to love her. You knew she was going to have you laughing and having a good time. Her bold spirit, contagious humor, and deep loyalty made her unforgettable. Whether she was telling a story, calling out the truth, or just enjoying time with her people, she made her presence known and her love felt.

Stine was also full of surprises. She had a mean right hook! Trust me, you didn’t want to fight her. Stine was also a dog lover. When she wasn’t with her four- legged companions, she might be tending to her many plants, baking her famous peach cobbler, or riding with her motorcycle club, “The Wild Bunch,” living life boldly.

Her love for Bobby Womack ran deep. His voice was the soundtrack to many of her joyful memories, sitting back with her man, her ride or die, Marlie “Marty” Wise, Sr. They were inseparable.

She loved all kids. Stine had a natural way of making them feel safe and adored. Her greatest relationships were with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She helped raise them and was a mother figure—full of guidance, love, laughter, and fierce protection. It was a role she embraced wholeheartedly, and one that left a deep impact on their lives.

Stine leaves behind a legacy of laughter, loyalty, boldness, and love. She was a force. And though the world feels a little quieter without her, her spirit continues to shine in the memories she gave us, the stories we’ll keep telling, and the love she poured into those lucky enough to call her family and friend. She gained her wings on April 8, 2025 in the presence of Marty and her children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leroy and Maybelle Lyons; sisters: Mattie (Earl) Whitney, Bertha (Albert) Smith, brother Edgar (Linda) Lyons, niece Natalie Lyons, nephews Dwayne Smith, Bill Whitney, Darnell Lyons, Omar Lyons and Corey Lyons.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, Life Partner: Marlie Wise, Sr.

Brothers: Charles (Beverly) Lyons and James (Mary) Lyons. Sister: Dorothy Lyons. Daughter: Michelle (Michael) Gordon. Her bonus kids: Yolanda Wilson, Ebony Cummings, Marlie Wise Jr., Sydney “Nae” Smith along with close nieces Sabrina Ann Whitney, Sabrina (Larry-deceased) Fleming, and Melissa (McKinley) Newton, and close nephews James (Gwen) Lyons, Sidney (Ramona-deceased) Smith and Malachi Robinson. Grandchildren: Candice (Darnell) Holmes, Zaire Gordon, JaMichael Lyons. One great grandchild Breslin Holmes. Special friends: Verline Soward and the Kelly family. And a host of relatives and friends.