Person Page

     ^1,3,2 Earl McDowell Tyrus was born on April 6, 1917 in Jefferson City, Missouri, his name at birth was Earl Graves.^1,2 He was the son of Romeo Graves and Mabel Stone Turner.⁴ When Earl was a young child, Mabel remarried to John Thomas Tyrus from Arrow Rock, Missouri. John adopted Earl and changed his surname to Tyrus. Earl was raised by his mother and stepfather. His only sibling, a sister named Lillian, born in 1920, passed away around 3 years of age after a sickness. Earl loved to be around his Grandmother Sara; he loved to help her in the garden and with the farm animals.^2,3 Earl married Sarah Caroline Brown.²
     Earl McDowell Tyrus registered for the draft for World War II in 1941, while living at Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri.¹ Earl's mother and his stepfather both passed away in December 1974.² Earl died on October 14, 2016 at age 99.² He was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas.⁵ His obituary read as follows:

      Earl was born in 1917 in Jefferson City, Missouri to Mable Stone Turner. Earl was raised by his mother and stepfather, John Tyrus, from Arrow Rock, Missouri. His only sibling, a sister named Lillian, born in 1920, passed away around 3 years of age after a sickness. His stepfather and his mother both passed away in December 1974. Earl had a very interesting childhood. He loved to be around his Grandmother Sara; he loved to help her in the garden and with the farm animals. Earl went to Lincoln Boy’s School in Jefferson City. He worked several jobs in Jefferson City, coming up. His first real job was the Central Dairy; he really enjoyed that job until there was a strike and he crossed the picket line in order to feed his family. He was threatened and that was when he decided to move to Kansas City, Kansas. Earl was exceptionally gifted in telling stories about different events in his life and a crowd would always gather to hear them, even if they had heard them many times before. They kept you laughing. He was an outstanding father, supporter of family members and friends and provided jobs opportunities for all those that needed employment.Earl and his wife Sarah, enjoyed traveling and traveled extensively throughout the USA and the world.The devoted Father, Member of the Deacon Board of First Baptist Church of KCK, Earl spent the last of his working years at Bayer Pharmaceutical. He retired from Bayer in Kansas City, Missouri in 1996, and as a Small Business Owner (of Janitorial Services), Gardener, Farmer, Role model for family, fathers and male youth.Earl was married to his wife Sarah, and celebrated their 75th Anniversary in 2015. The lovely couple has nine children.Earl is survived by, Sarah Caroline Brown Tyrus, Sr. (Wife); Earl McDowell Tyrus, Jr. (Son), Carolyn Irene Tyrus Hobbs (Daughter), Aletha Mae Tyrus Douglas (Daughter), Carmen Marie Tyrus Bass (Daughter), Spencer David Tyrus I (Son), Michael Lawrence Tyrus, Sr. (Son), Philip Edward Tyrus, Sr. (Son), Stanley Kenwood Tyrus (Son), Darryl Matthew Tyrus (Son) and many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren.² He

In Nov 2006, Aletha Tyrus Douglas submitted a yDNA sample for her borther. She did not indicate which brother it was. We corresponded for several years until her death in 2017. in 2050.

     Ella Sue Lenoir was born on April 20, 1931.¹
     Ella married Leigh L. Slade, son of Leland McKinley Slade and Ethel E. Breazeale.¹ Ella died on January 30, 2021 at age 89¹ and was buried in Lake Park Hills Cemetery, Laurel, Jones County, Mississippi.¹

     John Thomas Tyrus was born on June 15, 1890 in Arrow Rock, Saline County, Missouri.² He was the son of John Tyrus and Sallie [?].^3,4 John Thomas Tyrus registered for WWI draft on June 5, 1917 at Saline County, Missouri.²
     John married Mabel Stone Turner.^1,5 John died on December 23, 1974 at age 84.^1,6 He was buried in Longview Cemetery, Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri.⁶

     Riley Graves was born in December, 1848 in Missouri [likely Randolph Co].³ He was the son of Silas Graves and Emily [?].¹ Riley Graves was New Tag circa 1852 in Missouri.¹
     Riley married Julia Ann Taylor circa 1871.³ Riley died on July 27, 1911 at age 62² and was buried in White Oak Cemetery, Yates, Randolph County, Missouri.²

     George H. Graves was born in December, 1877 in Randolph County, Missouri.¹ He was the son of Riley Graves and Julia Ann Taylor.¹
     George married Winnie B. Erickson.³ The daughter of Leonard and Mary Elita "Tolson" Erickson.⁴ George died on January 6, 1964 in Missouri at age 86.⁵ He was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Moberly, Randolph County, Missouri.²

     Anderson Graves was born in July, 1885 in Randolph County, Missouri.¹ He was the son of Riley Graves and Julia Ann Taylor.¹ Anderson died on October 23, 1912 at age 27² and was buried in White Oak Cemetery, Yates, Randolph County, Missouri.²

     Henry Isaac Graves was born on December 2, 1909 in Randolph County, Missouri.¹ He was the son of George H. Graves and Winnie B. Erickson.² Henry Isaac Graves was New Tag in January, 1910 in Missouri.³
     Henry married Neomia [?].⁴ Henry died on February 9, 1982 at age 72.¹ He was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Moberly, Randolph County, Missouri.¹

     Aletha Mae Tyrus was born on October 24, 1943 in Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri.^2,3 She was the daughter of Earl McDowell Tyrus and Sarah Caroline Brown.^4,1
     Aletha married Leo Douglas on March 8, 1963.⁵ They have two sons, Kirk Leo Douglas and Patrick Charles Douglas.⁵ Aletha died on October 24, 2018 at age 75.^3,5 She was buried in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas.³