MRS. JOYCE OWEN TYSON, age 74, a native of Butler (Choctaw County), Al., resident of Elberta, AL lost a 36 year battle with breast cancer and died Friday, March 23, 2001 in Baptist Hospital, Pensacola, FL. Mrs. Tyson was a graduate of Choctaw County, High School and earned her degree in sociology at Montevallo. She was a former active member of the First Baptist Church, Robertsdale, AL., which in 1985 named its library in her honor. As a member of First Baptist, Elberta, AL, she was an inspiration to all who knew her. Survivors include her husband of more than 53 years, Robert Mason Tyson, Jr., of Elberta; two sons, Martin S. Tyson, Durham N.C. Neil W. Tyson, Huntsville, AL; one daughter, Christine T. Wiggins, Richland, GA; two sisters: Ruth O. Crook of Concord, N.C. and Bessie L. Owen, Elberta, AL; seven grandchildren and other relatives and friends. Mrs. Tyson was preceded in death by her parents, Newman Jasper Owen and Anna L. Martin Owen, her paternal grandparents: Jasper Owen and Virginia Caroline Whittington Owen and Maternal Grandparents: L. Eugene Martin and Willie Dell Rackley. Two brothers, Jasper Eugene Owen and Earl Martin Owen. And a sister, Virginia Owen Magee; all natives of Choctaw County, AL. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 26, 2001 at 9:00 A.M. at the Furst Baptist Church, Elberta, AL. Burial will follow at 3:00 P.M. at the Morgan Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery, Ararat Rd., Butler, AL. A visitation will be held Sunday evening at Mack Funeral Home, Hwy 59, Robertsdale, AL from 6 until 8 P.M. The family requests that in li eu of flowers, memorials be made to the Joyce O. Tys on Library, First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 11401, Robertsdale, AL., the American Cancer Society, 7101 Hwy 90, Daphne, AL (1-800-227- 2345) or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by MACK FUNERAL HOME, Hwy 59, Robertsdale, AL.
From the Mobile Register, Mobile, Alabama, Sunday, 3/25/2001