Ann Pearce Tyre

MRS. ANN DeGRAFFENRIED  PEARCE TYRE

SYLVANIA, GEORGIA

     Mrs. Ann DeGraffenried Pearce Tyre, 94, of Sylvania, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the Syl-View Health and Rehabilitation Center in Sylvania.

     She was born October 30, 1925 in Jesup, Wayne County, Georgia to the late Donald F. and Julia Bell DeGraffenried Pearce.  She and her family, who included "susta" Marward and brother Ben, lived in Jesup until they moved to Odum, Georgia in 1939 to start the family business, known as "Pearce's Store".  She graduated from Odum High School in 1943 and took business courses at Georgia Teachers College (now Georgia Southern University) in Statesboro before going to work at Fort Stewart in the finance department during World War II.  In 1946, she married the love of her life, Billy Tyre.  After their first son Don was born they moved to Statesboro where Billy entered GTC.  Their second son, Craig, was born while they lived in Richmond Hill, GA.  Eventually Ann went back to work at Fort Stewart in the same finance office until they moved to Sylvania in 1959.  She worked as the secretary at Screven County High School for several years.  Then she fulfilled a lifelong dream to start her own business, "The Village Hut" dress shop in Sylvania.  After many successful years she went home to enjoy retirement.

     Ann would recall "how times were and how her Mama did things" growing up in a loving home during the twenties, thirties and World War II in Jesup and Odum.  She learned from her mother how to be an excellent cook and learned, working in her father's store, about the business world.  Raised a Methodist, she become a Baptist when she married and was a member of First Baptist Church of Sylvania.  She and Bill enjoyed the fellowship of the Bible Witness Sunday School Class.  Earlier she participated in garden and card clubs and the Eastern Star.  She always enjoyed the visits of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

     Her later years were made more pleasant by the loving care of Miss Ida Ponder and the Syl-View Health and Rehabilitation Center.  A special thanks from the family to the nurses at Ogeechee Area Hospice and the Syl-view Health and Rehab Center. 

     Because of the current Coronavirus health concern, a private graveside service will be held at the Odum City Cemetery.

     A memorial service will be held for Mrs. Tyre at a later time.

       A devoted wife, she and Bill were married 67 years until his death in September, 2013.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William Jennings, (Bill) Tyre, a son, Craig Tyre, a sister and brother-in-law, Marward and Doug Daniel, and a brother and sister-in-law, Ben and Velma Pearce.

     She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Don and Chris Tyre of Fayetteville, Georgia, a daughter-in-law, Lyle Tyre of Douglas, Georgia, grandchildren, Jenny Barthel, Ginger and Tim Ford, Jessica Tyre, Emily Carver and Sissy Watson, great-grandchildren, Grace Carver, Mako and Saylor McDaniel, Walker, Jenna, Ellie and Gwendolyn Watson, George and Kate Barthel, Isabella Tyre, and Asa Ford.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.

     The family requests that memorial contributions please be made to the First Baptist Church of Sylvania, PO Box 318, Sylvania, Georgia  30467.

     Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home of Sylvania is in charge of all arrangements.   (912-564-2331)

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