CONNERSVILLE — Jacqueline “Jackie” Diane Surguy Pyle, 86, Connersville, passed peacefully at her home Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
She was born Oct. 17, 1930, in Rochester, to the late John W. and Mamie Y. Stevens Surguy. Jackie was raised by her late maternal grandmother, Cora Stevens, due to her father's untimely death and her mother's subsequent illness.
A graduate of Leesburg High School, Jackie was a drum major and a cheerleader. At one of their basketball games, Jackie met Sidney High School rival basketball player, and her future husband, the late Byron Jay Pyle. The couple lived in Wabash before relocating their family to Connersville in 1961. Their lives centered on love of God, country and family.
Jackie was active at Connersville Baptist Temple. She developed the successful decorator arm of the Reece Paint Store, which she and Byron owned and operated.
Being active with the Phyllis Schlafly Eagle Forum in the 1970s led Jackie to spearhead the Fayette County Republican Women's Club. She and Byron were instrumental in the fundraising and purchase of the Fayette County Republican Headquarters in downtown Connersville. She was club president over 20 years and for some time the vice chair; the club was Jackie's fifth baby.
You may not have known that Jackie was a published poet, songwriter, and children's book author of “My Beagle Ali Baba.”
She is survived by four children: Jana Rae Tatum, Indianapolis; Becky Susan Hartgrove, Connersville; Tonia Lee Pyle, Ridgecrest, Calif.; and Barton Jay (Angela) Pyle, Richmond, Va.; two sisters, Lamar Gorbett, Albuquerque, N.M., and Rowena Womack, Warsaw; six grandchildren: Rebecca Tatum (Navjyot Mulgir), Jessica Tatum, Daniel Tatum (Luzanne), Karla (Jeremy) Garrett, Nathan Pyle and Brandon Pyle; seven great-grandchildren: Jeremiah Slone, Devonte Tatum, Dylan Garrett, Jackson Garrett, Pinky Tatum and Sunshine Tatum, and expecting Baby Moses Mulgir; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She will be dearly missed for the love she gave and inspiration she was.
Funeral services were at 7 p.m. Friday at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, Connersville, with Pastor Tim Billups officiating.
Friends were able to visit at the funeral home on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.
Burial was at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
*****
To sign the online guestbook or to send the family a personal message, visit www.urbanwinklerfuneralhome.com.
