Mr. Tyrone W. McAlpine's Obituary
With perfect precision and one powerful heartbeat, God, the master conductor, raised his baton and began to direct one of his greatest masterpieces through the life of Tyrone Willie McAlpine. On March 6,1949, Tyrone was born to Henderson Sylvester and Mary Frances Youngblood-McAlpine in Bonita, MS. He was the firstborn of two children. On Thursday, August 27, 2020, at Regency Hospital in Meridian, MS Tyrone's ballad came to an end as he entered his eternal rest with that same God that directed that first heartbeat. At the age of 7, Tyrone and his family relocated to East End of Meridian. He joined Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church at an early age. As a youth, he presided over the youth fellowship, and he remained a faithful member for the remainder of his Ufe. Tyrone was a devoted member and served in several capacities at the church. He was a member of the choir, the Wesley/St. Peter male chorus, the community choir, a trustee, chair of Administrative Council, PPRC Chairperson, United Methodist Men, and several miscellaneous positions. Tyrone loved music and began playing the saxophone at MagnoUa Junior High. He was a great saxophonist in the Mighty Harris TJ Harris Band under the direction of C.E. Otis, where he marched in the JR Orange Bowl Parade in 1965. During high school, Tyrone was a saxophonist with the band known as "Flames" and played in many places in surrounding areas. When Tyrone graduated from T.J. Harris High School in 1967, he continued to pursue his love for music and passed this legacy down to his children and grandchildren. Tyrone began his employment journey at an early age by working at the brickyard. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Airforce in 1968. While serving his country, Tyrone was afforded the opportunity to travel the world. While stationed in Alconbury, England, he met his beautiful bride, Gloria Ann Leach. Tyrone and Gloria joined in holy matrimony on August 5, 1972, in Meridian, Mississippi. To this union, two children were born.
After returning to the states, Tyrone worked at Rush and attended Meridian Community College. In 1973, he began working for Bellsouth (AT&T) until he retired 34 years later. Tyrone joined the MS Air National Guard at Key Field in 1975 and remained there until he retired in 1995. Tyrone was an active citizen in his community, he was Elk and a member of the Elk's Lodge #551 and Kwanza Social Club. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, bowling, card playing, spending time with his family, and his all-time favorite dominos. Tyrone found a new love in the sport of bowling and enjoyed bowllng on all levels. Not only did he bowl for pleasure, he also bowled on an Amateur Pro level team. Over the years, he traveled all around the nation and obtained a plethora of awards for bowling. If he wasn't at work or at home, he could be found at his other home, the "Bowling Alley". Later in llfe, he also became a bowling instructor. In 2019 Tyrone retired from bowling due to his back. However, this did not stop his love for the sport. Tyrone was preceded in death by his parents, Henderson S. and Mary F. Youngblood-McAlpine; Grandparents: Willle and Amanda McAlpine, Granddaughter, Jada McAlpine. He leaves to cherish his memories: his lovely wife Gloria Ann Leach-McAlpine; four children: Semone McAipine, Jermaine (Yolanda) McAlpine, Daniel (Codi) Walk, Ikea Armstrong; 10 grandchildren: Ebonee (Omar) Pemberton, Toniziun Ball, Kimberly Black, Jermaine McAlpine, London McAlpine, Honey Walk, True Walk, Roman Walk, MaKenzee Skinner, Josiah Christian; 4 great-grandchildren, Ethan Ball, Josiah Pemberton, Melquan Cook Jr., Legend Pemberton; one sister, Frances Gail (Preston) Jones; four aunts: Nannie Mae Edison (Freeport, IL), Virginia Lyons (Alexandria, LA), Ruby Davis (New Orleans, LA), Ida Jean Turner (Freeport, IL); and mother-in-law Rebecca Ellse Leach; a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; friends; a devoted adopted son, Marion Green and Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church children and family who will miss him dearly.
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