L Tributes oving
“To My Love”
Tyrone, my heart is so heavy. I’ve cried an ocean of tears, and I’ve wracked my brain as to why you left so soon. If I had known God had these exact plans for you, perhaps, I would have done things differently. Perhaps, I would have fixed an amazing dinner for us, and we could’ve shared an experience memorable beyond words. The “maybe’s,” the “what ifs,” the “how comes” are all questions that come to mind when I’m feeling the grief in my heart the most. Yet, I know God makes no mistakes, and God’s love remains constant. Without a doubt, my husband, friend, and love, I will always miss you. I will always cherish you, so don’t worry about me, Nelson, or Stacey. Knowing you are looking down on us will give us strength, and the many memories we share will forever delight our hearts. Kiss and hug our angel, Michelle. I love you dearly. Until we meet again in our Heavenly Home, Your Wife, Francille
“To My Dad, With Love”
There is a special bond that a dad has with his son. Dads are someone to look up to, someone to admire, someone to learn from, and someone to talk to. I am privileged, honored, and extremely lucky to be the only son to my dad, Tyrone. He always led by example and taught me numerous life lessons on what it took to become a man. He instilled in me to take care, protect, and be the provider for my family and always give them unconditional love. He repeatedly encouraged me to work hard and to trust in God, and great blessings would always follow. My dad also showed me that if you really put your mind to something, anything is possible. My dad and I talked on the phone every day, somedays we would talk several times in the course of one day. It’s difficult for me to imagine no longer having my dad on the other end of the phone, or in a moment’s notice, no longer being able to jump in my car and drive around the corner to help my dad with any project big or small. Dad was hard-working, compassionate towards everyone, and worked hard to obtain the successful and fulfilling life that he lived. Dad’s love was unconditional, and our amazing father and son bond will forever bring comfort to me. His kindness, sense of humor, loyalty, and generosity will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. I can wholeheartedly say that I am humbled by my mom’s strength over the past few days and her ability to focus on the amazing life that she shared with my dad and not dwell on what she has lost. I hope that during this time of bereavement, I can gain strength as powerful as hers and be there for her whenever she needs me. After all, I know that is what my Dad would have wanted. I miss you dad. I love you dad. You are and will forever be my hero. Love, Your Son, Nelson McNeal
~ Acknowledgements ~
God’s whisper of comfort helps quiet the noise of our trials The Family of Tyrone Tidwell thanks and appreciates everyone for the encouraging phone calls, texts, emails, Facebook posts, cards, flowers, food and thoughtful expressions of sympathy, and other acts of kindness shown during our bereavements. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we, Tyrone Tidwell’s family, felt your love and support. Thank you for your acts of Godly love. ~Love The Family
~Honorary Pallbearers~
Ed Brooks Kevin McNeal Darryl Tidwell
Richard Greer, Sr. William Nunley Melrose Class of 1971
~Active Pallbearers~
Khandice Dandridge Kedrick Malone, Jr. Kendall McNeal
Machus Mosbey Nataiya O’Neal Kyla Walker
~Committal Rites & Interment~ Monday, November 8, 2021 • 11:00 A.M. West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road Memphis, Tennessee 38125
~Repast~
No Repast Due to Covid Restrictions
Distinctive Services by View Funeral Programs, DVD Tributes & More Through Your Mobile Device
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Life’s Reflections
Customer Service Representative Tyrone Tidwell’s love of life didn’t come to an end with his death. Tyrone passed away October 24, 2021, at the age of 68, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his wife and loved ones, who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest. Tyrone was the fourth child of the late Earline and Odell Tidwell, born July 24, 1953, at home, 645 Buntyn Street Apt. 10, Memphis, Tennessee. His infancy days were spent with his grandmother, Snora Kelly. Snora had no shame in claiming Tyrone as her favorite. Tyrone escorted Snora (at the age of 91) to her Senior Citizen Prom with a corsage, chauffeur-driven Cadillac, and all the prom fanfare. Tyrone and Snora shared a very close relationship until her death in 1993. Tyrone accepted Christ as his personal Savior in August 1965 and joined Prospect CME Church. When his brother, Rev. Otis Tidwell, established a ministry, he joined Twelve Gates Temple in 2014, where he served as a Trustee.
Order of Celebration Saturday, November 6, 2021 11:00 A.M.
Mt. Pisgah C.M.E. Church
2490 Park Avenue • Memphis, Tennessee 38114 Reverend Willie Ward, Jr., ~ Pastor Reverend Otis Tidwell ~ Eulogist
Prelude Musical Selection...............................................................................Divercity Processional...........................................................................Family & Clergy
Tyrone’s first paying job, at age 13, was at “Solo Sundry.” He attended Melrose High School. He was voted “Most Loquacious” in his Senior Year and graduated from Melrose in 1971. In high school, he worked at the Federal Aviation Administration. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force and served three years, including service in Vietnam. Unlike many, Tyrone was blessed in that he came back ‘whole”. He then attended Shelby State Community College and entered the workforce. Tyrone had many jobs, sometimes working two jobs at one time. He worked several years at Sharp Manufactory. His last position was Customer Service Representative for Wilson Airlines. Tyrone served in that position for over twenty years, getting an opportunity to travel and meet people from all walks of life. Those he met also got an opportunity to meet a remarkable guy.
Scripture Reading: Old Testament..................................................Bishop Donald Sanders
Tyrone met the love of his life, Francille McNeal while attending a Football game. They danced around the matrimony course for some time. Because their love was so sincere, they married two times. Frankie had two children, Nelson and Stacy, whom Tyrone adopted as his own. Together, they had one child, Michelle, who died in 1991.
(Respectfully, Three Minutes Please)
The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Tyrone. He loved taking care of his yard and traveling. He was an avid San Francisco 49’s fan. He loved basketball and baseball and watching black and white TV shows. He kept people rolling in laughter because he could find humor in the most mundane life circumstances. Tyrone is survived by his wife, Francille; two children, Nelson McNeal and Stacy McNeal; a grandchild, Kendall McNeal; mother-in-law, Dorothy McNeal; aunt, Rev. Kathon Kelly; one sister, Evelyn Tidwell-Story (William); two brothers, Sammy Tidwell (Barbara) and Otis Tidwell (Beverly); one brother-in-law, Kevin McNeal (Laura); seven sisters-in-law, Mary Tidwell, Sandra Walker, Phyllis Mosbey, Renita McNeal, Alisa Greer (Richard Sr.), Sherri McNeal and Jill McNeal; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. Tyrone was preceded in death by one sister, Hazel Tidwell, and two brothers, Napoleon Tidwell and Odell Tidwell, Jr.
Rock of Calvary Christian Church
New Testament....................................................Bishop Louis Wallace
A Holy Vision of God-Outreach Ministry
Prayer of Comfort..................................................................Rev. John Mason Featherstone C.M.E. Church
Solo................................................................................Melvia Chick Rodgers “The Battle Is Not Yours”
“Remembering Tyrone” Mrs. Beverly Hibbler - Neighbor Mr. Tharren Hayes - Wilson Airlines Mr. Cornelius Wilson - Melrose Dr. Kiasi Malone - Family Acknowledgements....................................................Ms. LaKesha Richardson Musical Selection...............................................................................Divercity “Amazing Grace”
Eulogy...............................................................................Pastor Otis Tidwell
Pastor, Twelve Gates Temple
Recessional “O Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 117