Maxie W. Wilkes Tyer

Former Monroe, NC resident, Maxie Mae Wilkes Tyer, passed away suddenly at Charlton Methodist Hospital, Wheatland Rd, Dallas, TX, on December 29, 2010, of multiple medical complications.

Mrs. Tyer was 91, feisty until her last breath, and lived a rich and rewarding life.

Mrs. Tyer was known for her humor, wit, razor sharp mind as well as her tongue, and endless stories that she told with vivid recollection. Her colorful, playful personality made her quick with a saying to fit any moment or occasion.

A loving mother to her children, she could always be counted on to share sound, old fashioned wisdom.

Mrs. Tyer was a woman of multiple talents. An expert seamstress for 70 years, she eagerly made alterations for her many friends. She was an accomplished vocalist and sang soprano in her church choir, at the Veteran’s Hospital chapel in Dallas, TX, and at special events. She was a self taught pianist and a skilled, occasional carpenter.

Mrs. Tyer was kind, generous, loving and enjoyed doing things for others as was evidenced by her handmade Christmas “turtles” and special delicious fruitcakes from her grandmother’s recipe.

Mrs. Tyer was born October 4, 1919, to Arthur and Ella Mae Wilkes, at Charleston, Mississippi.

She graduated high school in 1937, business college in 1939, and worked as a secretary for an attorney.

She received her civil service appointment at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in 1940. She later worked for the

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; years later as a freelance court reporter, stenographer, and medical transcriptionist.

Mrs. Tyer retired from the Veteran Administration Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1985, and did volunteer work for the VA Medical Center, American Heart Association, and March of Dimes.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie B Tyer, II, a Marine Corp veteran in the Pacific, and is survived by three sons, Dudley Tyer of Memphis, TN, Charles Tyer of Duncanville, TX, and Lonnie B Tyer, III, of Carlton, TX, and one daughter, Peggy Tyer Neill of Mineral Springs, NC, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Mrs. Tyer, a dedicated Baptist who taught Sunday school for 47 years, left this earth to be forever with her

Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her family, friends and all who loved her, will greatly miss her.

Arrangements are handled by Calvary Hill Funeral Home of Dallas, Texas. Mrs. Tyer’s remains will be returned to Memphis, TN, where she will be laid to rest in the family burial plot at Memphis Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tribute Program, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142, or via the web: www.stjude.org

Arrangements under the direction of Calvary Hill Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.