Anson Tyson

Emily Anson Wooten Sharpe Tyson, 74, of Saratoga, passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at home.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Wilson, on Monday, June 17, at 11:00 AM.  A visitation will follow the service.

When Anson was born on February 11, 1950, her parents, Sarah Elizabeth Jones Wooten and Roy Anson Wooten, lived in the family homeplace at Wootens Crossroads in northern Lenoir County.

She attended UNC Greensboro for one year and transferred to East Carolina University, where she earned a BS in Early Childhood Education in 1972. She taught kindergarten for many years in Princeton.

Growing up, Anson was a member of Airy Grove Christian Church in Lenoir County. After her marriage to William Franklin “Frank” Sharpe, Sr., on December 8, 1979, she transferred her church membership to First United Methodist Church in Wilson. There, she became director of children’s ministries as well as the director of the preschool for many years. She worked closely with Cindy Pike and Lorie Daniel, as well as others with whom she developed lasting friendships. She later served on the church’s kitchen and bereavement committees, while traveling to retreats with the church youth. She dearly loved young children and followed them and their achievements into adulthood; they became her “forever friends.”

Anson truly enjoyed her two bridge groups and especially entertaining family and friends with Frank. Over the years, the two traveled domestically and abroad. Frank’s family was the joy of her life.

Years after Frank’s death, Anson met James William “Bill” Tyson, Jr., and on June 2, 2019, they were married at his family homeplace near Saratoga. Both active in the church’s life, they especially enjoyed the annual September fundraiser. At the Tyson homeplace, they frequently entertained family and friends, and generously shared produce—fresh, canned, frozen—from their garden. Again, Bill’s family often visited and enjoyed real southern hospitality. Anson’s love for her own family extended to include her families by marriage.

Anson is survived by Frank’s family: son, William Franklin Sharpe, Jr. (Pamela) of Wilson; daughter, Julia S. Warren (Randy) of Raleigh; grandchildren, Whitney W. Fry (Ben) of Salem, Virginia, and William Jacob Warren of Raleigh; great-grandchildren, Sydney and Taylor Fry; sister-in-law, Mrs. Jewel Sharpe of Shallotte.

She is also survived by her second husband, Bill Tyson, and his family: daughter, Donna Lynn Tyson of Cary; son, James William Tyson III (Laurie) of Stantonsburg; grandchildren, Emily, Avery, and Tyson Dishman.

Also surviving is her sister, Sarah Jones W. Pollock of Wilson; cousins, Luellen Y. Hining (Greg) of West Jefferson, Frances W. Morris (Carl—deceased) of Richmond, VA, Mary J. Hardy (Billy) of Snow Hill, and David J. Bartlett of North Myrtle Beach, SC; and her little Yorkie, T.W., a never-ending source of joy and contentment.

Much gratitude is extended to hospice nurse, Kayla Curatolo, and to caregivers, Beatrice Lane and Liz McCall. The inspiration and compassion of her FUMC ministers, Rev. Charles J. Robl III and Rev. Jim Bell, as well as Rev. Mike Willard from Gentiva Hospice, are deeply appreciated. The family gratefully acknowledges the prayers and many acts of loving kindness from her church family, friends, and neighbors. To all, she would say, “Remember, now, that Jesus loves you with an everlasting love.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Veterans Residential Services, 2500 Nash St N, Ste E, Wilson, NC 27896; Gentiva Hospice, 2841 Daisy Ln N, Ste E, Wilson, NC 27896; or First United Methodist Church, Weekday Preschool and Children’s Ministries, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, NC 252-237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com