Tommy Tyson

CHAPEL HILL - Tommy Tyson, 80, born July 23, 1922, near Farmville, died peacefully Thursday, Dec. 5, 2002, at his home. A retired United Methodist minister and evangelist, he was educated at Campbell University, Guilford College, and earned his bachelor of arts degree from Duke University and his master of divinity degree from Duke Divinity School. He held an honorary doctorate of divinity from Oral Roberts University, where he served as its first chaplain. He also founded Aqueduct Conference Center in Chapel Hill. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Frances Brewer Tyson. He is survived by a daughter, Joyce Carole Carter and husband, Stan, of Vero Beach, Fla.; sons, Thomas Earl Tyson of Chapel Hill and Kenneth Wayne Tyson of Greensboro; granddaughters, Molly Anne Tyson, Mary Kathryn Tyson, and Sarah Hope Tyson of Chapel Hill; brothers, Earl S. Tyson of Scottsville, Va., Vernon C. Tyson of Raleigh, and Bobby P. Tyson of Lillington; and a sister, Merle Tyson Hackney of Sanford. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church, Greenville, N.C. Bishop Marion M. Edwards will preside. Graveside services will follow at 3 p.m. at Hollywood Cemetery, Farmville. Memorial contributions may be made to Aqueduct Conference Center, P.O. Box 17299, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. Arrangements by Farmville Funeral Home, Farmville.