Amanda Thelma (Johnson) Tyree

Mrs. Amanda Thelma “Ms. Tootsie” Tyree moved from her earthly home to her eternal resting place on Saturday, September 25, 2021, in Grand Prairie, TX. Ms. Tyree was born in Tralee, WV on March 19, 1920, to the late Annie Bernice Manns, and Jessie B. Johnson and was one of 11 siblings, four girls and seven boys.

On October 16, 1938, she married her beloved husband of 48 years, the late Rev. Eric Tyree; from that union was born five children, one son and four daughters.

Rev. & Mrs. Tyree made their home in Slab Fork and Beckley, WV, respectively.  She moved from Beckley to Charleston, WV, a few years after her husband passed. Throughout her life, Amanda was known for her hospitable spirit. She was kindhearted and always willing to share a meal she had prepared with those in the community; she was a true missionary at heart.

Amanda worked domestically for many years, and also as a Dietary worker at Raleigh General Hospital, in Beckley. She loved to sew, crochet and can the foods from the family garden. There wasn’t a pattern that could be purchased from McCalls, Butterick or Vogue that could compare with the newspaper imagery she would draw and cut fabric from to make clothes for her girls for school.  Of her canning skills, anything that could be put in a jar she would find a way to put it in one which came in handy during those cold winter evenings. 

Amanda loved to sing, she was one of the lead singers with, “The Bells of Joy”, a female quartet, she sang alto with the # 2 choir at New Hope Baptist Church in Beckley.  She and her husband also sang in their church choir while at Linwood Baptist church of Slab Fork, and formed a singing group with their children, the “Tyree Family Singers.” 

After moving from Beckley to Charleston, WV, Amanda joined Ferguson Baptist Church where she faithfully attended Sunday School and served with the Missions ministry.  While attending Ferguson, she was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of a trip to the Holy Land and walked where Jesus walked and was baptized in the Jordan River.  She was also an active member of the International Ministers Wives and Ministers Widows of Charleston and vicinity.  On the eve of her 82nd birthday, Amanda moved to Dallas, Texas.

Mother Tyree, as she was known to many, was a member of The Potter’s  House of Dallas under the pastorate of Bishop T.D. Jakes and First Lady Serita Jakes. When her health allowed, she sang in The Potters House Chorale, attended Golden Vessels fellowships, and even volunteered for outreach projects with United MegaCare.

Amanda was a praying woman of God, she had a strong relationship with her Lord and Savior, and she made sure the family home was a home of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. During any family crisis she would call the family into prayer saying, “let’s get this prayer chain going children.” Because of the life she lived and the service she gave to so many in and outside of her age group, she will be missed by all of those whose lives she touched in Beckley, Charleston, and in Dallas, TX. 

Amanda was preceded in death by her loving husband, Eric; parents, Annie Bernice, and Jessie Johnson; her brothers: Alonzo, Lee, Frank, George, Ralph, Louis, Claude, two sisters, Rosa, and Emma; a son, Eric Donald.  She leaves to cherish her memory, four daughters: Rosetta, Marykaye, Beverly and Teresa; a sister, Minnie Baynes; daughter-in-law, Rose Tyree; son-in-law, Pastor Lawrence Robinson; (9) grandchildren, (6)-great grandchildren,  (4) great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

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