Henry Lyons facts for kids

Henry J. Lyons (born 1942) is a former president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. who was indicted by federal prosecutors in 1998 for fraud, extortion, money laundering, conspiracy and tax evasion.

Early life

Lyons was raised by his grandfather, a deacon named Booker T. Lyons. His own father, who was only 16 when Henry was born, played a minimal role in his childhood. He attended Gibbs Junior College in St. Petersburg, Florida (1960–62) and studied at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach (1962–64). He then entered the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

In 1970, he moved to Cincinnati. In 1972 he gained a more important position in St. Petersburg, Florida.

He married Deborah Lyons in the 1970s.

In 1977 he became Vice President of the Florida General Baptist Convention, and was then its President from 1981 to 1994. In 1994, Lyons became President of the National Baptist Convention USA Inc.