Keir Knikia Lyles

On Thursday, October 3, 2019, Keir Knikia Lyles went home to his Lord. He described himself as ‘Tall, dark and geeky...actually not that dark, kinda mocha-y, but still geeky and tall,’ which fits him perfectly though it leaves out the boundless size of his heart. Keir was born on September 20, 1974 in Birmingham, Alabama to Louis V. Lyles and Cynthia Patterson Lyles. He was baptized at Sardis Baptist Church at 12, became Catholic in 2018, and has had a lifelong service to Christ. In 1988, his family moved to Waldorf, Maryland next door to the girl who became his best friend and the love of his life. He went to the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Maryland College Park and graduated with a degree in psychology. He married Meegan Noyes on October 9, 1999 and became a father to Christian Lyles on January 1, 2003. He was a teacher, social worker, counselor, and case manager. Then in 2005, he launched Apocrypha Comics Studios to fulfill a lifelong dream of making comic books and bringing his characters to life. Keir was a man who loved deeply and sincerely. He called people brother and sister and meant it. He was the first to open his wallet for someone who needed a few bucks for gas or to reach out to another who was suffering with words of wisdom and compassion that touched the heart. He was a gifted storyteller who could weave worlds and excite imagination. He was a talented artist who always had a pencil and marker in his hand. Art was his way of expressing his joy of life. It was often through his art that he was best able to touch people. He loved comicons and roleplaying and his friends were considered family and always welcome in his home. Keir is reunited in death with his beloved grandparents, Milton Solomon, Erlese Solomon, Ruby Lyles, and Louis Lyles and his loving father, Louis V. Lyles. He is survived by his wife, Meegan Lyles; his son, Christian Lyles; his mom, Cynthia Lyles; his parents-in-law, George Noyes and Carole Noyes; his sister, Khedra Lyles (Hugh); his sisters-in-law, Amanda Herr (David), Melissa Mather (Josh), and Sarah O’Brien (Pat); his brother-in-law, Adam Noyes; by all of his nieces and nephews who loved him dearly, Noah Herridge, Madison Haywood, Emerson Herridge, Emory Haywood, Atticus Mather, Elodie O’Brien, Asher Mather, and Juliet O’Brien; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Visitation on Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 5-8PM with Wake Service at 7PM at Raymond Funeral Service Chapel, 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, Maryland 20646. Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, October 11, 2019 at 11AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 4590 St. Joseph Way, Pomfret, Maryland 20675 with Interment to follow in the church cemetery.

Keir Knikia Lyles

September 20, 1974 - October 3, 2019