Brownlie Maxwell

Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home P.A.
1010 E. Palmetto Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901
[email protected]
(321) 723-2345
Brownlie & Maxwell Funeral Home | Melbourne Florida

Ollie Mae Lyons (Brown)

Born on November 13, 1935 in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Departed on July 4, 2025, in Palm Bay, Florida

Ollie Mae Lyons (Brown), 89, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on July 4, 2025, surrounded by her loving family in Palm Bay, Florida. Born on November 13, 1935 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Ollie lived a remarkable life filled with love, service, and joy that touched all who knew her.

As the eldest of five children born to Ollie B. and Roberta (Wood) Brown, Ollie grew up alongside her sisters Joyce, Debra, and Silvie Jean, and her brother Bill. On September 7, 1957, she married the love of her life, James Edward Lyons of Camden, South Carolina. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, family, and community. The couple moved from North Carolina to Melbourne, Florida, in 1959, later residing in Winter Haven before returning to Brevard County in 1985.

Ollie was a devoted mother to her son James Edward Lyons Jr., and daughter Katherine Lyons Stickels, and a cherished grandmother to Jennifer, Ashley, Nicole, Jacob, Katie, and Connor. Her great-grandchildren Payton, Jazmine, and Grayson, brought her immense joy in her later years. Ollie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim; her sisters Joyce and Silvie Jean and her parents.

Her professional career spanned over 25 years as a mediator and coordinator for the Brevard County Civil Mediation Program, where she specialized in civil court cases, including landlord/tenant disputes, HOA matters, and divorce mediation. Certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a Court-Appointed Mediator from 1997 to 2022, she also served as a Certified Arbitrator and Assistant Mediation Trainer at the Dispute Resolution Center. Ollie’s leadership in developing the Brevard County Civil Mediation Program earned her the Award for Outstanding Professionalism, Devotion, and Leadership in 2013, among other accolades, including the Brevard County Bar Association’s Annual Non-Lawyer Professionalism Award in 2010 and the Significant Impact to the Citizens of Brevard County Award in 2004.

Ollie was a passionate volunteer, serving as President of the Women’s Club of Winter Haven, Vice President of the Xi Gamma Phi sorority, and Chairman of the March of Dimes. She also contributed to the Palm Bay Foreclosure & Affordable Housing Community Development Advisory Board and presented at the Dispute Resolution Center Annual Conference for Mediators and Arbitrators. Her dedication to mentoring, organizing workshops, and promoting mediation education left an indelible mark on the community.

Ollie’s legacy is one of love, resilience, and selflessness. She cherished her 46 joyful years with Jim and the countless moments spent with her family and friends. She will be dearly missed but forever remembered as a woman who lived with purpose and radiated love. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched with her kindness and generosity.

Visitation with the family will be Monday, July 7, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home, 1010 E. Palmetto Avenue, Melbourne, Florida.

Interment will be in North Carolina at the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 1 pm where arrangements will be managed by Pinecrest Funeral Home, 4721 Dunrobin Drive, Hope Mills, NC, (910) 492-3502.

Guestbook Entry

 
 
 
 
 
 
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9 entries.
Joseph Colombo from Melbourne wrote on July 21, 2025:
I had the pleasure of working for many years with Ms. Lyons when she was the County Mediation Department Coordinator. She was always so professional and pleasant to work with. I am very sorry for your family's great loss.
Diane Norwood-Steven from Rockledge wrote on July 7, 2025:
Ollie was a dear friend for 10+ years; we cherished our friendship and times we spent together. I will truly miss Ollie...my very beautiful, special friend.
Janice Van Dusen from Melbourne wrote on July 7, 2025:
I knew Ollie thru one of the organizations we both belonged to. She was a very lovely caring lady and was interested in helping people. After reading her obituary, she was a very accomplished lady and I know you are proud of her achievements in life. My condolences to her family and Gold Bless all of you.
Paul and Margaret Melkus from FAYETTEVILLE wrote on July 7, 2025:
Long time friends of Ollie and my wife was one of her cousins.
William Haskell from Orange City wrote on July 6, 2025:
A LIFE WELL LIVED BY A PATRIOTIC AMERICAN WHO DEDICATED HER LONG LIFE TO HELPING OTHERS!
Judy Miller & Batman from Palm Bay wrote on July 6, 2025:
Ollie was a morning stop each day when I walked Batman, my greyhound. They loved seeing each other-when he saw Ollie sitting at her table in the garage, he made it clear we were stopping for a visit! They always had a nice chat, and along the way Ollie and I exchanged stories about our families, her remarkable career, and much more. My condolences to Ollie’s family. We’ll miss her too.
Judith Brook from Atlanta wrote on July 6, 2025:
I’m so very sorry for your loss. She was a very fine woman and a good friend to my aunt. May your memories of her be a blessing to you.
Connie & Jerry Smith from Cocoa wrote on July 6, 2025:
God Speed Ollie! You set the bar for all the Patriot volunteers in our area! We are honored to have known you!
Norm Terry from Orlando wrote on July 5, 2025:
So sorry for the loss of your mother. Ollie was a cherished friend and coworker. May God bless and comfort you and your family in your time of sorrow.
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