Clovis Lonzo Tyra, 90, passed away Sunday, October 30, 2016, at Countrywood Manor in Mantachie. He was born January 7, 1926 in Dennis, MS to the late Lonzo H. Tyra and the late Ida Kennedy Tyra. He was a beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great, great grandfather. On May 1, 1943, he married the former Sarah Lodeska Spigner. They were together for 65 years until her death on Sept. 21, 2008. Clovis served in the US Navy as a baker during WWII. Since jobs were scarce in the area at the time, he and his family moved to Kenosha, WI in 1950 and resided there for 8 years until moving back to Itawamba County, where he worked as a carpenter and built several homes in his community. He also worked for the State of Mississippi Tax Commission, retiring in 1992. He was a prideful man who was always willing to help anyone. Clovis loved to talk and to tell about his life experiences; he never met a stranger. In 1978, he and “Low” moved to Tupelo, built a home and joined West Jackson Street Baptist Church where he was active in mission trips that needed his carpentry skills. He loved a day of fishing and working in his garden and often gave away the food he grew and the fish he caught. At family and church gatherings, he was well-known for his sweet potato pies and homemade ice cream. Clovis was also a member of the Robert E. Lee Masonic Lodge No. 156 as a 32nd degree Mason where he was active until his health failed.
A celebration of Clovis’ life will be 11:00 am on Wednesday November 2, 2016 at Senter Funeral Home with Bro. Joe Coggins officiating. Visitation will be tonight from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at Senter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Ozark Cemetery.
Survivors include his Daughters: Sarah Stow of Tupelo, Brenda (Jeffrey) Wright of Tupelo, and Barbara (Dan) Dopp of Northfield, MN, Son, Don (Patsy) Tyra of Mantachie; Granddaughters: Tonya Kelly, Tammi Coggins, Tina Ray, and Ami Walton; Grandsons: Andy Tyra and Jeffrey Wright; 11 Great grandchildren, 1 Great, Great Grandson, Sisters: Annette (Hoyt) Reed of Macon, and Nadine Justice of Mantachie; Brothers: Sammy Tyra and Clifford (Sylvia) Tyra of Dallas, TX; sisters-in-law: Eula Sheffield of Mantachie and Podesta Roberson of Athens, TN; brother-in-law, Lewis Spigner, and Clovis’ special friend Evelyn McEwen of Ozark Community.
Preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lodeska Tyra; Brothers: Vernon Tyra, Rufus Tyra, Joe Tyra, and Leonard Tyra; Sisters: Bernice Hall and Velar Justice; brother-in-law, G.C. Spigner, father and mother-in-law, Troy and Belvie Spigner, Life long friend, Jimmy Harbor.
Pallbearers are: Joe Wilburn, Jimmy Pearce, Raymond Moody, and friends from West Jackson Street Baptist Church Sunday School Class.
Honorary Pallbearers will be members from Robert E. Lee Masonic Lodge No. 156.
The family would like to express a very special thank you to all the caring people at Countrywood Manor and the services of Bethany Bullard, RN with Camellia Hospice.
The family requests any memorials be sent to either Women First Resource Center at 215 North Gloster St. Tupelo MS 38804 or to the Fellowship Christian Retreat at PO Box 460, Tishomingo, MS 38873.
