CDR Steve Pyles, USN (Ret) was born to the late Clarence Pyles, Sr. and Mary Long Brandon on July 31, 1948 in Milton, North Carolina. Steve was raised on a farm with his siblings, so hard work was no stranger to him. When he wasn’t on the farm or in school, he enjoyed attending Sunday school and gave his life to Christ at an early age and joined High Street Baptist Church in Milton, NC. Steve graduated with honors from Mary M. Bethune High School in 1966.



Steve went on to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (also known as Virginia Tech) and while excelling academically, he also became one of six Charter members of Groove Phi Groove - an organization, during that time, that focused on integrating social, religious, and athletic phases of collegiate life for students of color. Steve received his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Physics and a minor in Mathematics in 1970.



Upon receiving his degree Steve was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy and went on several tours and held many positions. During his time of service, he met LuFreda Williams while teaching in the Naval Science Unit at Savannah State College and went on to marry her on March 12, 1977 in Beaufort, SC. From that union came four children, to whom he dedicated his life and protected. Upon retiring from the Navy, Steve worked in the private sector for several years before starting his own tax and financial services business.



In parallel with his professional career, Steve was very active in the community where he focused on local community development and advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), taught business classes, was always present to support the many academic milestones and extra-curricular activities that involved his children, never missed a family function and logged nearly 50 miles per week running before he fell ill.



Steve made his transition on Friday, July 14, 2017 at BridgePoint Hospital National Harbor in Washington, DC after a relentless fight. He made sure to leave his mark as an exceptional leader, humble entrepreneur, devoted advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, inspiring professor, and a loyal family man.



He was preceded in death by his son Clarence and brothers Samuel Brandon Jr., Leroy Brandon, Harvey Pyles; and nephew Radford Von Brandon who was raised as his brother. To continue on his legacy, Steve leaves his wife, LuFreda; his children, Stephanie, Steven (Lanuola) and Dinah; his grandchildren, Leah, Clare and Carl Joseph; his sisters Priscilla Crawford, Mary (Joseph) Whitehead and Betty (Winfred) Harris; his brothers Clarence (Odessa) Pyles Jr. and Lorenzo (Marie) Brandon; his sister-in-laws Gladys Brandon; Jannie Williams; Shirley (Steve) Rogers; his aunts Dorothy Pyles, Gracie Harris, Jearline Manning, Lillian (Ray) Allen, Rev. Lorraine Long, Sarah Long and Delores Evans; his uncles Tommy Long, Edward Brandon and June Brandon; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 9 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery. Please meet at the Administration Building at 8:15 a.m that morning with one's own transportation.


July 21, 2017

Kettering Baptist Church Legacy Center

6909 Crain Highway Upper Marlboro, MD 20772



Viewing: 11 AM

Service: 12 PM



For cards or flowers, please send them to 901 Sero Estates Drive Fort Washington, MD 20744