Gwendolyn Lyte

CAMBRIDGE - Gwendolyn Elaine Cornish Lyte, 93, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, at the House of the Pines in Easton. She was the daughter of Milbourne and Elnora Cornish and was born in Cambridge on July 9, 1914.

Mrs. Lyte received her secondary education in the public schools of Dorchester County, where she was a member of the graduating class of 1932.

On Aug. 9, 1934, she was joined in holy matrimony to Ernest Adam Lyte. This union was completed with the adoption of a baby girl, Tina.

During their time together, she and her husband operated a business known as Elyte Cleaners and Dyers for 30 years.

Mrs. Lyte's continuing education began in 1970. She obtained credits in sociology and psychology at Chesapeake College; human growth and development from the University of Baltimore; and a course in gerontology at Salisbury University.

In 1985, Mrs. Lyte completed a course in evangelism at the Eastern Bible Institute. After completing requirements for administration of food services at Salisbury University, Mrs. Lyte was employed by the Dorchester Community Development Corporation as coordinator of the Emergency Food and Medical Program in 1972.

She was employed through the State Office on Aging (MAC) as a senior aide counselor located in the State Employment Agency in Cambridge until her retirement in 1999. Counseling was also a part of her job. Mrs. Lyte is a third generation member of Bethel A.M.E Church.

She joined the Young Matrons Club of Bethel in 1939. When her husband became an itinerate Pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1948, she embraced the Missionary Societies of the churches he served and taught Sunday School.

Her itinerancy with the Missionary Society is as follows:

•Member of the Executive Board of the Baltimore Conference Branch

Missionary Society for 34 years (1948-1982).

•Chairperson for the Constitution & Bylaws for 16 years (1952-1968)

•Served seven churches as president of the Missionary Society for 34 years (1948-1982)

•Elected delegate to the Quadrennial Convention held in Detroit in 1958.

•Membership Chairperson of the Wayman Sampson Area Missionary Society for 12 years.

•Vice president of the Brownie Cromwell Missionary Society for nine years (1982-1991)

•Elevated to "Life Membership" by the Connectional Organization in 1994.

Her community involvement has been:

•Volunteer service at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center and serving as Secretary to the Auxiliary during 1966-1970.

•Membership Chairperson of the League of Women Voters during 1973-80.

•President of Church Women United of Cambridge and vicinity during 1978-80.

•Member of Oziel Chapter 23 Order of Eastern Star

•Cited by the Cambridge Jaycees as "The Outstanding Senior Citizen" for the year 1992-93.

•Commissioned twice to serve as a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Mental Hygiene during 1976-77 for Gov. Marvin Mandell and Gov. Blair Lee.

Survivors include her daughter, Tina Lyte Meekins; a son in-law, Gregory Lane Meekins; a grandson, Michael Cohen Thompson (Shannon); a step-granddaughter, Chevria Meekins; two nieces, Thelma Lyght and Celestine Lyght; an adopted niece, Sally Ross; two nephews, William L.D. Lyght (Brenda) and Bishop Ernest Lyght (Eleanor); many cousins; a god child, Corrine Greene Wallace; several step-grandchildren and a myriad of friends, as well as close family friends, Martha Ray Greene, Enez Stafford Grubb and Gloria Bailey and her church family.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at the Bethel AME Church, 623 Pine St., Cambridge. Burial will follow in the Veterans Cemetery. The Rev. Alan Gould will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Tuesday evening. Letters of condolence may be sent to www.henryfuneralhomepa.com.