James Arlyn Drake Lyles
1998 - 2022
James Arlyn Drake Lyles roared into this world on December 17, 1998. He passed peacefully in his sleep on April 3, 2022, at the age of 23. He left behind his father, Jonathan Chadwick Lyles, mother Vanessa Hope Brannon and stepmother Nicole Lyles. Drake was preceded in death by his stepfather Jon Brannon, who passed in 2021.
Drake has 8 brothers and sisters who adore him and miss him greatly: Ryan Knight, Ettie Lyles, Michael Lyles, Saige Hatfield, Julian Hatfield, Jasmine Morales, Francesca Lyles and Sophia Lyles.
Drake had a big heart and loved to eat, laugh, and make other people laugh. He was always ready to lend a hand. He was passionate about video game design, ambient techno music, un-boxing the Hello Fresh delivery, and possessed a wicked snarky sense of humor.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Drake’s life on Sunday May 1, 2022, at 2pm at Hagan-Stone Park Meeting Center, 5920 Hagan-Stone Park Road in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina.
Sending heartfelt condolences Nicole and family. My heart breaks for all of you. xo Riva White
My deepest condolences on your lost. No words can express the feelings you and your family are going through. May God give you the strength to carry on. He is now resting. Love you 🫂
I wanted to say, although I wasn’t very close to anon or talked to him much, simple fact is that Drake was a great guy. One of the funniest member of the community and beneath all the ironic memey stuff, he was a great kind man to talk to. I haven’t met that many people like him that could light up an entire community.
Rest in power
Though I never knew Drake that close, from the few moments we hung out he was one of the kindest people I had met. Gave great advice, had many stories, and gave great encouragement. Every encounter I had with him left me with a big smile on my face. I hope he is at peace, he deserves it.
Drake was a brother to me not in heart, but in soul in compassion. I would not be the man I was without his words, guidance and personal wisdom to walk through some of the most toughest times of my life. He taught me that it’s better to laugh than to cry when you’re feeling down, and showed me what personal ambition could truly do, as well finding the true values in life. Everything that he made was a work of art and him being gone is truly a loss not only to me but to everyone else who was touched by works.
Rest in Piece the brother I never truly had.
James was and is sunshine, burdening himself with the unwanted beyond description, reversing entropy of deformed things.
Semper fidelis.
Rest in peace.
James was like the accumulation of everything good, always cheering people up. He made us laugh, and now he makes us cry. He was really the best of us, a very happy talented person, and I know we’ll all miss him. I hope he’s at peace in heaven.
James was a heck’uva guy, there’s many things that’s said that are stuff people will never forget. Not only was he a hilarious guy to be around, he was someone who always felt there when things went down. If nobody else believed in you, he did, he believed in ya more than anyone else would. While we were never the closest, he’s someone whose words nobody could ever forget, and it’s a damn tragedy he’s no longer with us.
May he rest in peace, he’ll live on forever in the ways he’s changed so many people with lessons they’ll never forget.
Sending my deepest condolences. Drake was a great man, and even greater friend. May his soul reach the heavens and find the joy and peace he deserved
I only knew Drake for a short time but he immediately became my best friend. He was such a genuine non judgemental person who just loved making people laugh. Every conversation was always a remarkably great one that ill never forget and cherish forever. I know im not alone aswell so many people will carry Drake with them because he left a mark on everyone he talked too. I dont think theres a day i wont miss him. I love you buddy rest in peace you deserve it.
Where to even start?! I worked with Drake at Panera. He was such a sweet guy! He always had a big smile on his face & I cannot say I have ever saw him without one He was always quick with a joke or something outlandish to make us laugh. How many times he definitely put a smile on my face even when I didn’t think I could. I miss his laugh, his smile & the jokes that turned even a bad day into a good one! Rest easy my friend you are greatly missed!!!!!
Anon291/Drake was a friend I met around two years ago. He helped me through many hard times such as my first car crash. He showed a ton of music as well now that I listen to every day. All of this alongside just being a cool dude in general. I’ll really miss him and he’s utterly irreplaceable in everywhere he was.
Drake was the bestest of best friends, and I wish I could’ve hang out with him more when I had the chances, It’s hard to believe that he was gone and I’d like to greatly thank him for the fun memories he made. Rest In Peace.
Anon291/Drake and I first bonded when I expressed admiration for his unique art style and media production techniques, which developed into us bonding over a shared interest in obscure media. He had the innate ability to keep conversations going and full of life, and never failed to inspire a good humor in those around him. I had spent many hours talking with him about everything under the sun and I will never forget some of the things he said and art he created and shared. He is and will be dearly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of spending time with him and has had an immense impact on all of our lives.
Semper games.
While I had no real connection to Drake, I can confidently say that he impacted me positively. The many humorful interactions and meaningful conversations he had with other people inspired me to better myself as a person, and I’m deeply grateful to have been around his presence. Drake truly was a diamond in the rough and truly irreplaceable.
My first impression of Drake was that he radiated with support and genuine interest in the world. Even if we would sometimes not speak for
a long while, when next I’d hear from him it would be a heart felt message of encouragement. As far as I knew him, this was his way, to suddenly and when most needed shine positivity on those
he cared for. My last impression of him was exactly the same as the first, his last message being one of hope and enthusiasm.
He is gold and all he touched will likewise become such.
Still can’t really find the words, I hope your intrusions of my dreams fill the absence deep down
May the next time we meet be realer than ever before
Drake could always brighten up your day!! He was always the one to give a helping hand, he will be missed around the job. Our deepest condolences to the family!!