Elvin Elijah Lytle was born on December 20, 1927, in Freeport, NY to Issac and Luvenia Lytle. He and his family lived in Marshville NC, where he went to school and worked on their farm. At the age of 22, in July of 1950, Elvin enlisted in the US Marine Corps. Thereafter, he completed 12 weeks of basic training at the MTScol (Motor T School) in Camp Lejeune, NC. Elvin was an extraordinary marine, accelerating through the ranks from E1, an enlisted Officer to an E6, Staff Sergeant in only 2 years, a progression that normally takes 6. During his military service, Elvin met Thelma Louise Scott. They fell in love and married on August 31, 1952, on the North Carolina State Campground in Chapel Hill. Elvin received his honorable discharge in July of 1954. Soon after, Elvin and Thelma moved to Queens, New York and their union welcomed 2 children, Thomas and Denise.

Moving his family to the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn in 1966, Elvin was a committed man of faith, who strongly believed in God's Word. His commitment to God and the church motivated him in service to others. He offered his time towards helping to build New Testament Church of God in Brooklyn, NY. Elvin was vital to the ministry of the church, serving as a trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, and singing in the choir. He was also an avid gardener, often giving away his harvest to the widowers of the church and around the neighborhood. In addition to his service in the community, Elvin was a hard worker. Although not formally trained, he knew the value of studying to increase his knowledge. Elvin was a successful entrepreneur and for several years, he used his God-given skills to operate his own mechanic shop. Living in a time of racial bias, Elvin persevered through many challenges to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a pilot. As a passion, Elvin would build and fly radio-controlled model airplanes. He later went on to receive his single engine pilot's license from the Brooklyn School of Aviation in July of 1978. Elvin retired after 30 years with the United States Post Office as a Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor in 1983. Once he and Thelma were both retired, they moved to Raleigh, NC in 1989.

After retirement, Elvin continued his service to the church at the Pittsboro Church of God in Pittsboro, NC. In the community, he used his skills to partner with contractors to fix plumbing, sheet rock placement, laying floors, and electrical work. Elvin spent his time offering help wherever he could, staying active until his health declined. He liked having a good time, spending many days at the Friendship Cafe at Redeeming Love where he enjoyed playing dominos, and joking with the other senior attendees.

Elvin Lytle went home to be with God on May 15, 2024, at the age of 96. Elvin was preceded in death by his parents, Issac and Luvenia Lytle, and his wife Thelma who passed in 2004 after 50 plus years of marriage. He would later remarry Levora Bivens Durham of Marshville, NC. She
would precede him in death in 2013. Also preceding him in death are his siblings: Henry, Archie, Avant, Viola, Sarah, Rachel, Aquila, Deborah, Beatrice, Marjorie and nephews William, Ike Henry and Avant Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory a son, Thomas, a daughter, Denise, and
several adopted children Patricia, Paulette, Ian, William, Shep, Stanley, Dexter, Ray, Hal, Robert, Donovan, Kevin and Antonio. Also left to honor his legacy are nieces and nephews, Susan, Eric, Deborah, Yvonne, Beverly, Greta, Malverta, Johnny, John, his Church of God family New Testament and Pittsboro COG, and a host of other relatives and friends.