Randa Lyda

LYDA
RANDA JEAN LYDA
Randa J. Lyda , age 85, of Odessa, Texas, died on October 9, 2009. She and her family resided in Helotes in the 1960s and early 1970s. She was born near Tow, Texas on May 17, 1924, to Guy & Nona Green. She was raised in the Burnet area and graduated from Burnet High School. She met and married her high school sweetheart Gerald Lyda and together they produced three children, Gerald D., Gene and Eunita Jo. She loved the role of being a wife and devoted herself to raising her children properly. She was a wonderful cook and became a skilled interior home decorator. Through the many ups and downs of life and business, she remained dedicated and supportive of her husband Gerald. Her husband founded Lyda Inc. and became one of the largest general contractors in Texas. She and Gerald enjoyed traveling together and inspecting ranch country--some of which in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma they acquired for their own ranching purposes. When her husband retired, she and Gerald moved to Fort Stockton to be near their beloved La Escalera Ranch. She and Gerald enjoyed many good times together until his untimely passing in 2005. After her husband's death and a lengthy stay in the hospital, Randa emerged more vibrant, alert and independent than she was before her hospital stay. She was a devoted Christian that credited the Lord for the successes she and her family had enjoyed in life. In her final years, she suffered from congestive heart disease, but passed away peacefully in her Odessa assisted living apartment. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother. Her survivors include her beloved brother, Guy E. ("Bud") Green Jr. of Burnet, her beloved son, Gerald D. Lyda & his wife Patty of San Antonio, beloved son Gene Lyda & his wife Shay of Fort Stockton and beloved daughter Eunita Jo Granberg & her husband K. G. of Seymour. Grandchildren include Brett Lyda of South Pasadena, CA, Justin Granberg of Muddleberry, IN, Holly Jo Granberg of Wichita Falls, Jene' Lyda of Boerne, Leah & Casey Lyda of San Antonio, Tyler Lyda of Fort Stockton, as well as Trey Lyda and Holt Lyda, both of Atlanta. Great grandchildren include Gerald D. "Beck" Lyda IV of Atlanta and Sage & Colt Granberg of Muddleberry, IN. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13 at First Baptist Church in Fort Stockton, Texas. Afterwards, burial services will occur the family cemetery on La Escalera Ranch, 20 miles south of Fort Stockton on Highway 395 (Marathon Highway). Reverend Bob Cheek of Moore, Oklahoma will preside over the service. Pallbearers will be: Brett Lyda, Trey Lyda, Justin Granberg, Holt Lyda, Casey Lyda and Glenn McCorkle of Fort Stockton. For other information, please contact funeral director Steve Hampton at:
Shaffer Nichols Funeral Home in Crane, Texas at (432) 558-2525.