Myrtle Irene (Raines) Tyson

Born July 21, 1936 to Charles and Mary Etta Raines. Myrtle passed Monday, July 1, 2019 while a resident at Hillside Nursing in Wake Forest, NC. Myrtle spent her early years in Richmond County and attended school in Ellerbe. During school years, Myrtle played basketball at Ellerbe High School and continued basketball after moving to Raleigh in a business league. While in high school she also drove a school bus. After moving to Raleigh in 1954, Myrtle attended Kings Business College. She got a job with the NC Recreation Commission and worked there over 20 years as an executive assistant doing budget and personnel. Myrtle was a member of the NC Recreation Society and served as recording secretary for that professional organization. After recreation Myrtle continued to work in budget and personnel in the Land Resources Division of DNER. After 20 years there, Myrtle retired in 1996 with 40 years in state government. The Geodetic survey section of Land Resources placed a marker dedicated to Myrtle on the south side of a Richmond County road to Derby as it begins with a left turn off Fire Tower Road near Ellerbe. Myrtle was well respected by all her division heads as well as her fellow NC State employees. After marrying Oscar Lee Tyson, Jr. of Nash County in 1972, they lived in Raleigh until moving to Zebulon the day after Christmas in 1980. During her 37 years in Zebulon, Myrtle was a volunteer at the United Methodist Church office and she and her husband volunteered for Meals on Wheels in and around Zebulon for 18 years after which she was awarded a commendation from the Senior Corps of Wake County. After subtle signs that became life altering, the dreaded savage disease Dementia Alzheimer’s, claimed Myrtle’s life. At age 82, Myrtle was the surviving member of her nine siblings.  

In addition to her husband, Myrtle is survived by many nieces and nephews and her long time caregiver, Tamica Dolby. Myrtle was preceded in death by her nine siblings. 

A graveside service will be held 12:00 pm, Friday, July 5, 2019 at McLean Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 723 Fire Tower Road, Ellerbe, NC 28338. 

Gifts and memorials may be given to McLean Presbyterian Church.

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