Charles Edward Tyson

Mr. Charles Edward Tyson, age 86, of Waycross, passed away Thursday afternoon (9/17/20) at his residence following an extended illness.

Born October 31, 1933 in St. Augustine, Florida, he was a son of the late William Wiley and Susie Belle Brown Tyson.  He lived most of his life in Jesup, Blackshear, and Waycross and attended schools in Willacoochee, St. Augustine, and was a 1951 graduate of Blackshear High School.

He served in the United States Air Force as a Senior Air Operations Specialist from January 1952 to December 1954. He was stationed in the state of Washington, and in the countries of Iceland, Germany, and France. His overseas duty afforded him the opportunity to tour many of the great cities of Europe.

In February 1956, he accepted a job with Waynline, Inc., an upholstery furniture manufacturing company in Jesup. In 1973, he and five other employees purchased the company and properties from the Berkline Corporation of Morristown, Tennessee. He served as president and part owner of the new company, Waynline Inc. of Georgia until the summer of 1993 when the company was purchased by Stanton, Ind., of Tualatin, Oregon. He retired in October 1993.

Waynline Inc. of Georgia manufactured and sold upholstered living room furniture primarily along the east coast and was a major shipper of furniture through the Savannah port to the mid-eastern countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and others. The company maintained showrooms in High Point, North Carolina and Atlanta.

In September 1993, he joined the Huxford Genealogical Society in Homerville, Georgia. He became an avid researcher and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1999. While serving as a director, he volunteered for a phenomenal job-the renumbering of the vast collection of books and periodicals housed in the Huxford Library. Using a shelf-numbering system, he developed specifically for a genealogical research library and devoting over two years of his time, the job was completed. He maintained the numbering system for many years thereafter.

In November 2008, the Board of Directors of the Huxford Society dedicated Pioneers of the Wiregrass, Volume I, a new series, to Mr. Tyson in grateful recognition of his contributions to the Huxford Library and Society.

He was a member of the local George Wayland Hiers Post, VFW 4382 and Fraternal Order of Eagles 4502.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers and a sister-in-law, William Wiley Tyson, II and David “Wimpy” and Fran Tyson; 2 sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy and Tommie Williamson and Florence and Earnest C. Pittman; a nephew, Foye “Buddy” Strickland, Jr.; a niece, Carol Pittman Kennision and husband Franklin.

Survivors include his three daughters, Lynne Hayman (husband Johnny) of St. Augustine, Robin Dorsett and Niki Tyson, both of Blackshear; 5 grandchildren, Staci Cason Kelly (husband Dan) of St. Augustine, Markel Dorsett Smith (husband Jacob) of Brunswick, Kaili Dorsett Waters (husband David) of Jacksonville, Jena Hayman of St. Augustine, and Hannah Cloud of Blackshear; 6 great grandchildren, Taylor Shearer and Collin Kelly of St. Augustine, Jayden and Kylan Smith of Brunswick, Hadaley Waters of Jacksonville, and William “Liam” Perry Barber IV of Blackshear; a sister, Lois Harris of Brunswick; a sister-in-law, Carol Batten Tyson of Hinesville; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday (9/19/20) at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Hart Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Blackshear City Cemetery.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

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