Service

Thursday, June 25, 2026

Family Visitation: 5:00 P.M.

Funeral Service: 6:00 P.M.

Held at

Cedar Grove Church

528 East Main Street

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

On October 27, 1950, Jackie Howard Lytle, affectionately known to some as Dr. Blue, Black Jack, or Pops, was born to the late Hattie Lillian Vaughn and Jack Lytle in Murfreesboro, TN. He was educated in the Murfreesboro school system and was a proud graduate of the Holloway High School class of 1968 and always looked forward to the Red and Black reunions. After high school, he attended Tennessee State University for 2 years and decided to become an LPN for the VA. After a few years, he found his calling of being an over the road truck driver. After 30+ years, he retired with bragging rights that he had driven to all 48 contiguous states and Canada. He was a member of Cedar Grove Church and previously served on the usher board. He surely loved his pastor/cousin, Monte Lester!

Blue met no strangers and was always the life of the party. You were either going to love or hate talking to him, but he was going to talk and ask you questions, nonetheless. He would know your life history, address, and your family tree before you said your goodbyes.Whether you liked it or not, you would leave with a smile on your face and your own unique “handle.”

He was the coolest person you’ll ever know and you would often hear him pull up in his Cadillac playing his smooth jazz. You could look forward to receiving that day of the week shout out. It would include sayings like “I didn’t wake up dead” and “Willie Jones…going home.” When you asked him how he was feeling, no matter if he was having a rough day, he would matter of factly say “with my hands.” Even in his last few days, he may not have been able to say it, but he would raise his hands from under the blanket. Then, the conversation would conclude with his signature “Toodle loo!”

After retirement, he took on his most important role as “Grandfather” to Zylen “Zy/Mr. Z,” and Bryn “Bryn Bryn.” He took so much pride in watching them from infancy through elementary school and doing the things that grandparents are known to do (you know, what the parents don’t want you to do or want you to feed the kids). He attended as many of their games that he could and you always knew when he was there. He was the loudest, proudest cheerleader, just like he was for their mom when she played.

Those he leaves to forever remember his wit are his daughter Nyoka (Shellie) “Dr. Scoby” Nelson, son-in-law Quenshawn “Sir Ooltewah/Oolte” Nelson, grandchildren; very devoted companion and caretaker Jammie “Cornette” Bell; older brother Charles “Chuck” Vaughn; nieces Vickie “Victoria’s Secret” (Ron) Thompson, Rita Vaughn, Tasha Marable, Tasha “JuJu” Bowling, and Kahlesia “Kit” Laws; nephews Duane “Benson” Lytle, Isaac “Green” Lytle, Marcus “Wolf” Laws, and Timothy Vaughn; brother in law Roger “Blue Raven” Duke; sisters in law Beverly “Bev” Duke and Monique “Jonville” Reeves; adopted nephews and caregivers Lydell “Brother Dell” Richardson and Kherman “Kermit” Howse; and a host of cousins and friends too numerous to name, including his granddog Bentley “Sir Bentley.”