Obituary of Victoria Lyles

Victoria Lyles, 79 affectionately known as “Vicky” a devoted wife, loving mother, and faithful servant of God, peacefully entered eternal rest on March 24, 2025, at home surrounded by her loving family. Victoria was born on November 27, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA to the late Walter Robert Dredden Sr. and Mary Bell Dredden. Walter and Mary migrated their family from Philadelphia to Berlin, NJ and then to Newtonville, NJ. Victoria, the eldest of eight children attended school until having to withdraw to assist her sick mother in raising her siblings. She would later meet Frank E. Lyles in September of 1968 and two months later they married on November 23, 1968. Together they raised their 4 children in Newtonville, NJ. Victoria was not only a loving mother but also a very hard worker. While her children were young, she worked as a nurse aide at Lincoln Nursing Home, direct support at Vineland State School, Deer Park Baking Company “The Cookie Factory”, and nurse aide at Greenbriar Nursing Center of Hammonton. Later on in life she worked as a cook for Hammonton Head Start. While in her late twenties Victoria received the Holy Ghost; she was so full of the spirit she needed to be driven home and was tucked into bed by her mother. Victoria spoke in tongues for two days straight after the filling of the Holy Ghost. Victoria was a true faithful servant and served under great leaders. She joined Bethel Holy Temple COGIC and served under the late Elder Henry Hines. She later served under her father the late Elder Walter Dredden Sr. who became the Pastor of Bethel Holy Temple COGIC after the passing of Elder Hines. In the year 2008, Victoria moved to North Carolina with her husband Frank and resided there for 11 years. While in North Carolina she served as Pastor’s Aide at Little Galilee under the leadership of the late Pastor Hancey Barnes and received her Missionary license as well. While in North Carolina she worked as a cook for Ashewood Estates Assisted Living Facility. Victoria moved back home to New Jersey in January of 2019 to be closer to her family. Her daughter Evangelist Rochelle Cross-Mack and son in law Pastor Clarence Cross-Mack had founded Love Fellowship Temple Ministries in July of 2014. Although Victoria lived in North Carolina during the founding; she was a founding member and faithfully sent her tithes to the ministry until she returned to New Jersey. Shortly after moving back Victoria was installed as the first church mother of Love Fellowship Temple Ministries on August 21, 2021. It was on this date that we gave her flowers while she could still smell them. Victoria didn’t meet any strangers during her lifetime because everyone she met she treated like a lifelong friend. She was known to take people into her home to care for them or provide them shelter. In some cases, she would go to other’s homes to care for them in their time of need. Victoria loved to cook and feed others. You rarely left her home without a cooked meal. She was a true missionary with a heart for people. Victoria enjoyed dressing up, dancing, singing, and loved going to church. She loved her family. Victoria loved the Lord with her whole heart. Her smile, laughter, and presence on earth will be missed. She is predeceased by her parents, Elder Walter Dredden Sr. and Mrs. Mary Bell Dredden. One sibling, Elder Walter Dredden Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory to her loving husband of 57 years; Frank E. Lyles, her 4 children; Victoria Jones (Timothy Jones Sr.), Anthony Dredden, Frank Lyles Jr. (Judy Lyles), Evangelist Rochelle Cross-Mack (Pastor Clarence Cross-Mack Sr.); 13 grandchildren, Timothy Jones Jr., TaShonda Jones, Shanelle Dobson (Austin Dobson), Lontre’Na Jenkins (Myron Jenkins Jr.), Jasmine Lyles, Amber Dredden, Ashley Cross-Mack, Clarence Cross-Mack Jr. (Ha’Nasia Cross-Mack), Kierra Dredden, Sierra Cross-Mack, Anesha Lyles, Skylar Dredden, and Corey Dredden; 3 great grandchildren, Leanna Bey, Serenity Dobson, Samuel Dobson; 6 siblings, David Dredden (Jane Dredden), Florence Bowman (Matthew Bowman), Gloria Robinson, Martha Hall, Doris Jones, Glenn Dredden and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends