TRINITY — Family members say that if you say anything about Lyle Stubbs, say he loved the Lord and his family with all his might.
A former city mayor, firefighter and judge, the 81-year-old Stubbs passed away on Friday.
His obituary states that Stubbs dedicated his life to service in countless ways, serving as Mayor of Trinity from 1994 to 2014; the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department for 57 years, 25 of which as Chaplain, and was the Assistant Fire Chief for many years; and currently was the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace and Municipal Judge for the City of Trinity.
Fire Chief Keith Johnson said Stubbs was one of big three — Hayne Huffman, Wayne Huffman and Lyle joined the department at same time.
“I always said his prayers kept us alive, cause we did some crazy things when we were young,” he said.
Johnson said that when Lyle became a full-time judge, and after Johnson was elected to Precinct 3, they shared an office, and Lyle became his mentor, guiding him through the process.
“He was a good guy; had a heart of gold, a heart for God and a wonderful singing voice,” Johnson said. “There’s no telling how many people he led to the Lord in this town. I guarantee him and Hayne and Wayne are sittin’ up on a bench grinning and laughing and cutting up.”
Lyle opened Stubbs Chemical and Feed in 1988, which was called the heart of the town.
Neal Smith, a relative of Lyle and a Trinity County Commissioner, said people would go by the feed store when he had it and if they needed money, they got it.
“He always gave back to the community,” he said.
Smith said Lyle was raised in Trinity, and because had no money, he always worked, either delivering beer, cruising trees, and owning a pest control business, which led to him starting the feed store.
“He was a hustler. That was what was unique about him,” Smith said. “He had been involved in every committee there was in Trinity.”
Smith said Lyle played Country Western and Gospel music, and told folks that was his ministry.
A talented musician and minister, Lyle released 10 country gospel albums between 1994 and 2009, always aiming to share his faith through his love of music. His single “I’ve Got Jesus Now” reached No. 1 in 2002, and in 2005, he was named Southern Gospel Male Entertainer of the Year. He also served as a Freemason for more than 40 years.
Mayor Billy Goodin said that Lyle was a very composed man and a pinnacle of the community.
“He was a great guy,” Goodin said. “Every time I was elected, I would appoint a city judge, and he always was willing to serve. He always had a compassion for people. He may not have always done things by the book, but he did things by the heart.”
After his passing, numerous agencies escorted Lyle back to Trinity, including Trinity Fire Department, Trinity Police Department, Trinity County Sheriff’s Department, Ventura EMS, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Walker County Sheriff’s Department, Huntsville Fire Department, Onalaska Fire Department, Livingston Fire Department, Livingston Police Department, Scenic Loop Fire Department and Methodist Hospital Security.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at River of Life Church in Trinity. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, with Mike Loftin officiating. Interment will follow at Clapp Cemetery in Trinity.
