Theodore Tyus

Wednesday, November 26, 2003

CHARLESTON - The Rev. Theodore Tyus, 79, died Nov. 23, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Born Oct. 29, 1924, in Hickman, Ky., son of the late George W. and Lucy Ann Pirtle Tyus, he lived in Missouri since 1971. A veteran of World War II, he was of the Baptist belief and attended the First Missionary Baptist Church in Mound City, Ill. He served as pastor of the Holly Grove Baptist Church in Wyatt for more than 28 years.

On Dec. 3, 1949, in Peoria, Ill., he married Lillie Reed who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: two daughters, Marilyn Tyus of Normal, Ill., and Shaunna Tyus of Atlanta, Ga.; three sons, Michael Tyus of Charleston, Kevin Tyus of Atlanta and George Tyus of Jefferson City; two brothers, George E. Tyus of Joliet, Ill., and Tony Tyus of St. Louis; and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Sparks Funeral Home.

Visitation will continue from 11 a.m. Saturday until service time at noon at Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Richard Dowell will officiate.

The Missouri Military Funeral Honor Guard will conduct graveside rites at Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston.