Johnnie Tyson

Johnnie Mae Neal Tyson, 99, departed this life August 12, 2010. She was born July 29, 1911, to Maggie Gunn Neal and John Pastor Neal, in the Hickory Grove Community of Macon County Alabama (presently Tuskegee, AL). One of 11 children, Johnnie Mae developed a strong work ethic, sense of community, love for family, and faith. At a young age, she became a member of the Hickory Grove AME Zion. On September 21, 1931, she married Freddie Lee Tyson. To this union of 57 years, nine children were born, Freddie Mae, Leotis, Wallace, William, Emmett, Barbara, Lillie, Joyce, and Gregory. Johnnie Mae migrated to Waterbury, CT from Tuskegee, AL in the early 60s. She managed the households of a number of families in southern Connecticut before deciding to establish her own private business, Grandmas Kids. Throughout the course of her life, Johnnie Mae proved herself to be a dedicated and faithful Christian, serving as a member of the Mount Olive A. M. E. Zion Church for forty-five years and as a stewardess and president of the Womens Home and Overseas Mission for more than thirty years. Johnnie Mae never wavered in her Christian duties, and although she never possessed a drivers license, she was licensed by God to make sure someone took her where she needed to go to render herself a blessing to others. In 2005, Johnnie Mae moved to Wirtz, VA where she became a member of Chestnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She was baptized there in 2005 at the age of 95. Johnnie Mae was known by all for her wisdom, sage advice, humor, home remedies and love of cooking shows. She had exceptional culinary skills and enjoyed embroidering and quilting for family and friends. Johnnie Mae was preceded in death by her husband and three of her children, Emmett, Freddie M. Tyson Green, and Wallace Tyson; three grandchildren, Deborah Tyson, Elizabeth Tyson and Shandra Gardner; her sisters, Emma Moore, Maggie Williams, Lillie Burns; her brothers, Henry Neal, Frank Neal, and Lovie Neal. Johnnie Mae leaves to cherish her memory, Leotis (Shirley) Tyson, Sr., of Hamden CT; William (Imogene) Tyson Sr., Cedar Hill, TX; Barbara Tyson (John) Wiggins, Trinity, AL; Lillie Tyson (Wilbert) Head, Wirtz, VA; Joyce Tyson (Will) Christian, Gulfport, MS; Gregory L. Tyson, Muscle Shoals, AL; 31 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren. Three sisters, Luvesta Moore, Tuskegee, AL; Robena Lacy, Atlanta, GA; Beluah Burns, Harve de Grace, MD; and her brother, Homer (Georgette) Neal, Cleveland, OH; two sister-in-laws, Johncelyn McElrath, Goodwater, AL, and Rosea B. Harris, Tuskegee, AL. The family wishes to thank all who provided prayerful support during Johnnie Maes illness. We pray that God blesses your lives with the kind of joy and peace that Johnnie Mae habitually shared with us. There will be a viewing on Monday, August 16, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. at Conner-Bowman Funeral Chapel, Rocky Mount, VA. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at Chestnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Wirtz. The family will also be receiving friends from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at McKenzies Funeral Home, Tuskegee, AL with a graveside service at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at Mount Esther A.M.E Zion Church Cemetery in Tuskegee with Reverend Dr. Harrison D. Bonner and Reverend Dr. Valerie Manness officiating. Local arrangements by Conner Bowman Funeral Home and Crematory, Rt.220 @ Wirtz Rd., Rocky Mount. (540)334-5151 www.connerbowman.com