Mary Tyler

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Mrs. Mary Annette Tyler, 78, of Webb City, Missouri, departed this life on Wednesday evening, October 27, 2021, in the comfort of her home after a few years of declining health.

Mary entered this life on March 1, 1943, in St. Paul, Minnesota, born to the late Walter and Lena (Rye) Swanson. She was raised in Ft. Smith, Arkansas by her mother and stepfather, James Carey. She was a 1961 graduate of Ft. Smith Senior High School. 

On July 7, 1963, she was united in marriage to Ronald Tyler and to this union two children were born, James and Heather. They lovingly raised their family in Cache, Oklahoma. While raising her children, Mary decided to attend Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, obtaining a Bachelors’ Degree in Education. She taught Kindergarten and First Grade for twenty-two years at Cache Elementary, retiring in 2001. She was awarded Teacher of the Year and was instrumental in implementing the Transitional First Grade Program. In 2005, she and Ron moved to Webb City, Missouri to be closer to family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and gardening and was an avid reader. Mary was a member of Christ’s Church of Oronogo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Swanson and Lena and James Carey.

Mary is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years, Ron Tyler of the home; two children, James Tyler and wife, Sumie, of Kansas City, Missouri and Heather Brust and husband, Chris, of Bentonville, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Colby Brust, Seiko Tyler and Cassidy McCalla; a sister, Kandy Brun of Austin, Texas; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Memorial services are 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 8, 2021 at Christ’s Church of Oronogo with Rob Brust officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri.