[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15766]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF REVEREND JIMMY PYLES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 28, 2012

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Reverend Jimmie Pyles of Quitman, LA. Reverend Pyles was a beacon of 
light to countless souls during his 60 years of Methodist ministry, and 
he will be sorely missed.
  Born on May 20, 1935, Reverend Pyles grew up in Jonesboro, LA. He 
received his degree in theological studies from Southern Methodist 
University in Dallas, Texas, and married Dessie Hinton Pyles of 
Quitman. Their union produced Andy Pyles, who is now the head football 
coach at Winnfield High School. Pyles's three grandchildren, Tyler, 
Dustin, and Kayla, were his pride and joy. Reverend Pyles was very much 
a family man who lived an honorable life, striving to lead by example 
and be the best he could be, personally and professionally.
  Reverend Pyles's passion in life was serving God and people. He lived 
this passion every day through his work, while serving as a pastor of 
10 different Methodist churches, on the board of the United Methodist 
Children's Home in Ruston, at the General Secretary of the United 
Christian Ashram, on the Executive Committee for the World Methodist 
Council, as Ruston District Supervisor, and in his daily life as a 
husband, parent, and grandparent, among many other posts he has 
occupied. He gave freely and generously of himself and his time, and 
the world is truly a better place for his efforts.
  In the letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to Timothy, (2 Timothy 2:8-
13), Paul says ``If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; 
if we persevere, we shall also reign with him.'' As we remember 
Reverend Pyles, there can be no doubt that he lived and died in his 
faith. Reverend Pyles's life is an example to all of us.
  To say that he left his fingerprint on the world would be an 
understatement. Reverend Pyles brought peace, joy, and spiritual life 
to so many, and he will live in our hearts forever.

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