Eula Mae Sumbry

Obituary For Eula Mae Sumbry

Eula Mae Sumbry, 77, of Columbus, Georgia passed on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 in Columbus, Georgia.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. EST, Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Phenix City, Alabama with Rev. Melissa Smith, pastor, officiating and Rev. Willie Lyles, eulogist. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Public viewing is 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Eula Mae was born on April 3, 1948. She was the loving daughter of the late Milton Lyles, Sr. and Lillie Alexander Lyles.

On December 3, 2025, she departed this world peacefully at home surrounded by family and loved ones. She was a loving and devoted daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.

Eula Mae accepted Christ at an early age and dedicated her life to Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church for over 65 years, where she served as a faithful member of the church choir. She retired from Phenix City Health Care as a Certified Nursing Assistant for over 30 years.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard A. Sumbry, Sr.; son, Anthony “Big Daddy” Sumbry; stepdaughter, Charisma Sumbry; two brothers, Milton Lyles, Jr. and Eddie B. Lyles, Sr. and three sisters, Rosa Lyles Stokes, Lillie Lyles Sanks, and Catherine Lyles Brundridge.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her three sons, Derrick Lyles (special friend, Gwinette Hilton) of Columbus, Georgia, Curtis (Angela) Preer of Phenix City, Alabama and Ronnie Preer of Simpsonville, South Carolina; one daughter, Tanya Cain of Columbus, Georgia; a stepson, Richard A. Sumbry, Jr. of Columbus, Georgia; eleven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three grands-in-love; two brothers, Reverend Doug (Eunice) Lyles, of Smiths Station, Alabama and Reverend Willie (Rachel) Lyles of Columbus, Georgia; two sisters, Estella Lyles Jackson of Columbus, Georgia and Janis Lyles Bowman of Smiths Station, Alabama; a host of nephews, nieces, loving family and a special friend, Mr. Johnny Epps.