Bryce Iley

Bryce Baxter Iley, 87, died November 15, 2009, at CMC-Northeast, Concord, from complications following a heart attack. He was born on February 18, 1922, in Cabarrus County, son of Harry Bernard and Blanche Elsie Williams Iley. He and his wife of 61 years, Dr. Martha Frances Strawn Iley, lived in Charlotte for 39 years before moving to the Harrisburg area. Their home, a frequent gathering place for family and friends, was built on land that was part of the Iley Homeplace since 1917. In the Iley household there was music and hospitality. Bryce and Martha enjoyed welcoming guests, and Bryce’s beautiful, eloquent prayers of thanks at the table were a blessing to many. Surgeries on his knee due to osteomilitis suffered in childhood prevented Bryce from serving in World War II, but he had a deep love for America and daily expressed thanks for “the great country that we live in.” In 1943 he graduated from Wake Forest College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, and he was always a loyal alumnus. Career experiences included work at Federal Reserve Bank, American Trust Company, International Harvester Co., and State Farm Insurance Company where he was an Agent for 43 years. His excellent record earned many awards and trips to interesting places. He delighted in serving his clients.

Bryce was predeceased by his parents, sister, Mildred Iley Green, brothers, Harry Byron Iley and William Boyd Iley, daughter, Cheryl Elise Iley Lindstrom, brothers-in-law Leonard Matthews, Bill Roe, Noel Morris and Boyce Small, and nephew Harry Leigh Matthews. He is survived by his wife and daughter, Deborah Jeanne Iley Hodde and husband Richard of Charlotte, and their children Sharon Elizabeth Hodde Miller and husband Isaac, and Stephen Christopher Hodde and wife Megan; daughter Sheila Gay Iley McLean and husband Rev. David of Holly Springs, NC, and their children David Alexander McLean III and wife Georgia, and their children Elizabeth, Abigail and Alexander, Joshua David McLean and wife Tara and their children Isabella and Tristan, Jeremy Andrew McLean and wife Kendra, and their children Lily, Claire, Savannah and Avelyn, and Sarah Kristen McLean; daughter Stephanie Lynn Iley Salb and husband Daniel of Flowery Branch, GA, and their children Carmen Amanda, Alexander Iley, and Charlotte Faircloth; son-in-law Prentiss Lindstrom and daughter Hailey Elise Lindstrom of Alpharetta, GA; sisters, Maxine Iley Matthews of Stoneville, NC, Bernice Iley Roe of Decatur, GA, Alma Iley Morris of Concord, NC and Grace Iley Small of Charlotte; and nine nieces and eight nephews.

As a member of Providence Lions Club, Bryce served as President in 1967-68. He was a faithful and enthusiastic supporter of Metropolitan Music Ministries, attending all major events and participating in Community Outreach through October of this year. In 2006 he received the 60 Year Certificate from Excelsior Masonic Lodge No. 261. He was also a member of Scottish Rite and Oasis Shrine. A Charter Member of Providence Baptist Church, he was a Deacon Emeritus who served as Deacon Chair, Chairman of Personnel and Building Committees, and in many other lay leadership capacities. He was a member of the TTT Sunday School Class.

A worship service to celebrate Bryce’s life will be held on Saturday, November 21, at 1:00 pm at Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC, with the Rev. Dr. Al Cadenhead, the Rev. C. Ronald Riley and the Rev. David A. McLean officiating. Prior to the service, visitation will begin at noon. Internment will be at 3:30 pm at Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis. Pallbearers will be Stephen Hodde, Joshua McLean, Jeremy McLean, David McLean III, Brian Morris, and Isaac Miller.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Metropolitan Music Ministries, PO Box 12736, Charlotte, NC 28220 or to Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.

Hartsell Funeral Home, Concord, is serving the Iley Family. Please share condolences online at www.hartsellfh.com.