Shirley Jean Tyson

Service will be live-streamed at 11am on S.L. McLaughlin Funeral Home Facebook page and SL McLaughlin Youtube page.

Shirley Jean Daniels Tyson passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born July 31, 1937, in Rimini, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Lonnie and Naomi Ragin Daniels.

Shirley received her education in the Clarendon County School System. At an early age, she gave her life to Christ and joined Pine Grove AME Church in Greeleyville, SC, where she served faithfully on many auxiliaries and boards. Her journey up north began with a brief stay in New York City.

After relocating to Troy, New York, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Frederick C. Tyson. To this union, three children were born. Shirley was employed with Bendix in Green Island, New York, where she retired from in 1996 after 30 years of dedicated service.

She joined the Fifth Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church in the 1950’s, where she served faithfully for many years. She served as Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Class Leader, Deaconess Board member, Missionary Society, Choir member, and served on the Bereavement Committee. Shirley had an imagination that led her to becoming the Church’s esteemed play writer. For many years she wrote and directed theatrical Christian plays. She was serious about her plays and would hire and fire cast members who did not follow her directions.

Shirley had many gifts which she lovingly shared with the world. She was a phenomenal cook and was famously known for her perlo rice, strawberry shortcake, apple pie and her lemonade, just to name a few. She was a good seamstress and displayed her talent by the many outfits she made for her family and friends.

Traveling was one of her other life enjoyments. She traveled domestically and internationally and valued the memories of each adventure. Her legacy will be cherished forever.

Shirley leaves to rejoice in her memory her three children, Lynnwood (Lorraine) Tyson, Jeffrey (Alisa) Tyson, and Jennifer (David) Tyson-Diaz; five grandchildren, Tysha (Domingo) Tyson-Laboy, Rashad Tyson, Janika Tyson, Alýa Tyson and Ja'Shon Tyson and six great-grandchildren; Azirah Laboy, Jazlyn Garcia, Emery Tyson, Elijah Laboy, Jayleonna Garcia, and Janelle White. She leaves behind her sibling, Jerry (Beulah) Daniels, sister-in-law, Joyce Daniels, one godchild, Priscilla McCauley, great-great nephew, Ryan Fairhurst and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special friends, Mary (Ray) Simon, Ida Bradley, and Wilhemena Simon.

Four siblings predeceased Shirley: Thomas O. Daniels, Danna L. Daniels, Joe R. Daniels, and Robert L. Daniels; two sisters-in-law, Geneva Daniels, and Gwendolyn Daniels; one niece, Pattie Daniels; and one nephew, Thomas O. Daniels Jr.

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