Della Tyson

Della Lu was born on October 2nd, 1926 in the town of Litchfield, Illinois to George and Rosa Funk Hall. She grew up there with her sisters, Rosemary and Georgia. She was a graduate of Litchfield High School, then attended the University of Wisconsin where she graduated with a degree in History.

Della Lu had a love of life and a sense of adventure and it took her on a trip that finally landed her in the state of Arkansas that she called home for the past 70 years.

She had a varied career, she was a dance instructor, she was in the chicken and egg business, she worked in Arkansas Government, and she was a noted Court Reporter for 35 years.

For 12 years she was the Confidential Secretary of Former Governor Orval Faubus where she witnessed a great deal of Arkansas History in the making. Later she was the first Director of the Arkansas Student Loan Foundation and ended her government service serving in the Secretary of State’s office for her old friend George Jernigan.

She then started Del Tyson’s Reporting Service where for 35 years she worked for many of Little Rock’s top attorneys doing written and video depositions. One of her favorite clients was the McMath Law Firm where she was privileged to work with Former Governor Sid McMath and his sons, Sandy, Phillip, and Bruce who were also her dear friends.

Del had many interests in life, she was a voracious reader, at one time she was a dedicated health enthusiast and bicycle rider, she knitted, was an inveterate letter writer, loved to do crossword puzzles as well as create then, and most of all had a very keen interest in politics, local, state and national. She was in many ways a political activist who wrote numerous letters, some articles, and did not shy away from debating those things that meant a lot to her. She was first and foremost a patriot of the first order.

Del is survived by her sister, Georgia Hall Price, of Cumming, Georgia and her four nephews, Tom, Danny, John and Larry Price. Along with several cousins, and in addition her two step-children, Harriet Tyson Clayton and Larry Tyson.

She is also survived by her Dear Close Friend and Caregiver Stephen McIntyre

A graveside memorial service for Della will be held Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Mt Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com for the Tyson family.