Julia Ann Carter Pyles, 81, of Dunwoody, passed away Aug. 15 after extended illness with Alzheimer’s. She was the daughter of the late John Mercer Carter and Mary Frances Jacobs Carter and was born in 1932 in Grayson. Mrs. Pyles’ early years were spent on her family farm in Walnut Grove. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1949 and received an AA in Home Economics from the Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville in 1952. Upon graduation from college, she worked in Atlanta and met her husband. They were married on July 18, 1954. They resided in Decatur before relocating to Dunwoody. Mrs. Pyles was a working mother who catered weddings for 17 years across the Atlanta area and then changed careers to work as a real estate agent in DeKalb County achieving million dollar club status before retiring. She was an active member of University Heights United Methodist Church and was an active PTA member at her children’s schools.
Mrs. Pyles was an avid lover of the arts. An amateur artist herself, she supported the Spruill Arts Center and was a patron member of the High Museum of Art, along with the Atlanta Symphony. Mrs. Pyles was passionate about her family and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother Robert Carter.
Mrs. Pyles is survived by her husband of 59 years Holmes Edmund Pyles and their three children and spouses Maria and David Drews of Atlanta, Vicki and George Hutchinson of Covington, and John and Brandi Pyles of Marietta; grandchildren Rod Drews (Laurice), Julia Aland (Patrick), Holmes Hutchinson, Sara Ann Hutchinson, Dylan Grote, Jack Pyles, along with her great grandchildren Braylen Drews and Ella Drews; brothers and sister-in-law John and Terry Carter, James Carter; sister-in-law Lois Carter; and nieces, nephews, other family and close friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Pyles were Aug. 17 at Walnut Grove United Methodist Church with The Rev. Doctor Bill Roane officiating. Interment followed at the church cemetery. The family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Atlanta, University Heights United Methodist Church, Decatur, or Walnut Grove United Methodist Church, Walnut Grove. A memorial service will be held at a later date at University Heights United Methodist Church. A guest book may be signed online at www.harwellfuneralhome.com.
