Henry Cornelius Lytle was born November 7, 1937, in Jersey City, NJ to Lacey and Margaret (Anthony) Lytle. He was the seventh of ten children who grew up in Harlem and attended Ebenezer Baptist Church where their father was organist and minister of music. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, served in Korea and was honorably discharged after serving three years.
Henry met Louise Braddy who worked as a seamstress at his sister Audrey's shop (Taeko's Sewing Center) in Brooklyn, NY. He took Louise to a NY Mets game for their first date and remained a dedicated Mets fan all his life. Henry and Louise were married on Oct. 9, 1965. They had two sons, Henry (Eliot) and Ross, and initially made their home in Norwalk, Connecticut before moving to Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 1979 Henry and his family moved to Houston, TX where he worked as an electronics technician for the Edwards Co. Henry was a devoted family man who remained very close to his siblings and many weekends and holidays were spent with the large family gathered to share food, laughter, and their love of music. He spent his younger years as a father helping with homework, coaching his sons in baseball, and served as the little league VP of youth baseball.
After he and his wife retired from Houston, they moved to Stapleton, GA and opened MELLS Mfg in Wrens, GA. Louise did sewing and alterations and Henry did furniture reupholstering/restoration. Louise died unexpectedly in 2009. Henry remained in Georgia for a few years before moving to California to be closer to his siblings. Soon after, he moved to Fargo, ND to live with his son. He joined the Bethany Retirement community and became very involved in various activities. Henry served on the Resident Council and volunteered in the Gift Shop. He was very well liked by both staff and the residents. One could frequently find Henry visiting with anyone who crossed his path. He enjoyed playing cards as well as most any activity planned at Bethany. He also liked to watch movies, complete crossword puzzles, was an avid reader and especially enjoyed his beloved jazz music. Henry cherished every opportunity to spend time with his family.
Henry suffered a debilitating stroke in August of 2021. He returned to Bethany's skilled care and even though his mobility and speech were limited, he maintained a positive outlook and participated as he was able.
Henry died peacefully in his sleep on October 13, 2022, at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo, ND.
He is survived by his sons, Henry Eliot (wife, Sandy) Lytle, Fargo, ND and Ross (wife, Julie) Lytle, Madison, WI; grandchildren, Whitney Lytle, Phoenix, AZ, Olivia (husband, Dante) Yanno, Youngstown, Ohio, Eric Lytle, Fargo, ND, AN Jamison Lytle U.S. Navy, Norfolk, VA, and Tyson Lytle, Fargo, ND; brother, Cecil Lytle (wife, Betty), San Diego, CA; and many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews across the country.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Louise Lytle; grandson, Henry Jordan Lytle; his parents; siblings, Juanita Lytle, Lacey Lytle II, Reggie Lytle, Audrey Johnson, Margaret Lytle Pearson, Alice Lytle, Gwendolyn Lytle, and Florence Lassiter.
Henry will be laid to rest with his wife Louise in the Braddy Family Cemetery in Bartow, GA. Monday, November 14, 2022 at 10:30 A.M.
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