Welcome to the Evolving Folks Project’s “Evolved Woman of the Week” profile. Each week, we will highlight an individual who embodies what it means to be an evolved person, famous and non-famous alike. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to the flight attendant and hero, Cee Cee Lyles.
Cee Cee Ross Lyles, a flight attendant on United 93, died in the 9/11 attacks over two decades ago. Her son, Jevon Castrillo, read a letter she had written.
In January 2001, Lyles, a mother and a former police detective, had just finished her training as a flight attendant. As stated by the National Park Service.
On the morning of September 11th, Lyles, 33, was one of seven crew members on United Airlines Flight 93, the last of the four planes hijacked that day. As the 9/11 Memorial & Museum recounts, following the crashes of other planes into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on the day of the collision, Lyles sent a voicemail to her husband, Lorne.
Through four moves and over two decades, the mother’s letter persevered, ultimately destined for her son. The letter was first written in March 2001 by Jevon Castrillo’s mother, Cee Cee Lyles, as spring arrived. With the joyous news of her son’s completed book, Lyles shared this milestone with Jevon’s kindergarten teacher, Tammy Thurman.
“Dear Ms. Thurman, Jevon read a book last night that he brought home from the library. He read it from cover to cover. I told him I would write you a note and tell you what an outstanding job he did,” Lyles wrote. “We are very proud of him and will continue to work with him at home. Again, thank you for your dedication and courage for the job that you do.” – Cee Cee Lyles.
From the Evolving Folks Project, we send our love and respect to Cee Cee Lyles’ family, and we hope she rests in power. She was a hero, and the passengers joined her, making the ultimate sacrifice. Today, we honor Cee Cee Lyles as our Evolved Woman of the Week.
Evolving Folks Project 