Robert Franklin Tyson, 83, of Tarpley, Texas, passed away Tuesday, September 29th at his daughter’s home in Vicksburg, Mississippi, after a courageous fight with cancer.
Bob, as he was affectionately known, was born March 30th, 1943, in the Mississippi delta to Franklin Samuel and Mary Pate Tyson on a sharecropper farm. All family members played some form of music. Born into poverty, he persevered and accomplished extraordinary life experiences including the military and flying. As a boy he wanted to fly and that goal was achieved by becoming a helicopter crew chief, a private pilot, and making a career with the Mississippi National Guard. At elementary school at Goodwill, Louisiana, Bob was classmate to Tony Joe White (who became world famous), whose music inspired the band and whom Bob kept in contact with over the years.
Through the years Bob enjoyed playing music with his brothers. He organized a band in 1964 in Indianola, Mississippi and Bob and his brothers, Jim and Doug, along with James Buckner played the local delta venues. Later, he got married, quit the band and raised a family. He retired from the Mississippi Army National Guard with the rank of Sergeant Major having served for 30 years. He moved to the Texas Hill Country, made friends, played music and traveled extensively across the United States with his wife Maryanna and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary Tyson, his wife, Maryanna Hooker Tyson, sisters, Mary Sue Tyson, Janis Tyson Gellman, and brother, Charles Douglas Tyson.
He is survived by his daughter, Teri Tyson Snazelle (Blaine) of Vicksburg, MS, and son, Robert Joseph (Bobby) Tyson of Clinton. He also is survived by his grandchildren, Taylor Smith (Philip) of Lafollette, TN, John Snazelle of Clinton, MS, Wesley Tyson of Brandon, MS, William Tyson of Clinton, MS, and Walker Tyson of Brandon, MS. He is also survived by his brother, Jim Tyson (Dianne) of Magee, Mississippi, and by his much-loved great-granddaughter, Annielynn Snazelle of Clinton, MS.
Bob will be laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio at 2:30 PM on October 19, 2026.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Geraldo Sioco, his wonderful nursing staff, and the staff of Gentiva Hospice of Vicksburg, MS.