Nancy Lyle Creel

Nancy Lyle Creel, a devoted educator, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2025, at the age of 74.
Born on July 6, 1950, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Nancy was the daughter of John Carlton and Sally Joyce Lyle. She earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and dedicated her life to serving others. Her career was spent supporting individuals with disabilities-first as a compassionate classroom teacher, and later as a group home supervisor.
In 1971, she married the Rev. Larry Creel, beginning a partnership grounded in faith, service, and love. As a United Methodist minister's spouse, Nancy embraced the ministry with grace and warmth, supporting congregations across Mississippi alongside Larry for more than four decades. Her role in church life was one she treasured deeply.
Nancy's greatest joy was her family. She was a loving mother to Amy Creel and Adam Creel, and a devoted mother-in-law to Eric Bisschop. She was especially proud of her grandsons, Samuel and David Bisschop, who brought her immense happiness.
She is also survived by a large and close-knit extended family: her siblings Tommy (Liz) Lyle, Bob (Dana) Lyle, Becky (Jim) Stevenson, and Anita (Steve) Lewis; nieces and nephews Karen Lyle, Marion (Cooper) Morrison, Allen Lyle, Courtney (Randall) Sanders, Erin Alford, Grant (Nikki) Stevenson, Thea Stevenson, Connor (Kayla) Lewis, and Caroline (Jacob) Duke; and great-nieces and nephews Lyle Sanders, Liam Alford, Gray Morrison, Martha Grace Morrison, Ledger Stevenson, Rhett Stevenson, and Henry Lewis.
Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry Creel, and her parents, John Carlton and Sally Joyce Lyle.
A service celebrating Nancy's life will be held at Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church in New Orleans on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., with fellowship to follow.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Nancy's memory to Magnolia Community Services or to the Rev. Larry Creel and Nancy Lyle Creel Endowment for Ministerial Scholarships through the Mississippi United Methodist Foundation.