Charles E. Tyson

Chaplain Charles Edward Tyson, age 94, of Asheboro, North Carolina died peacefully on January 6, 2020, at his home with his daughter present. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 10, 2020, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with Chaplain Richmond Stoglin officiating. Burial will follow at Randolph Memorial Park with military honors by the Randolph County Honor Guard. He was married to the late Maude B. Tyson for 60 years, who passed away in 2007. He enlisted in the US Navy for 8 years. He graduated North Carolina A&T University with a Bachelor of Science in 1960. He continued his education and graduated from Southeast Baptist Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in 1964. He received his Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Certification from Duke University in 1966. Chaplain Tyson was an Ordained Elder (retired) in the United Methodist Church of the Western North Carolina Conference. Chaplain Tyson began his career with the US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons from 1970 to 1990. During that time, he became the first African American Chaplaincy Regional Administrator for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). He was noted for recruiting 25 African Americans Chaplains into the BOP with tremendous results to date, this recruitment initiative has not been replicated. In 1989 he received the Chaplain of the Year from the Salvation Army. Toward the end of his career, he and his wife relocated back to Asheboro, NC. He didn't let retirement slow him down in any way and remained vigilant in the ministry and kept up with his hobbies. He loved being outdoors and always had pride for keeping his yard in immaculate shape. He also enjoyed gardening in his back yard where he was able to create his perfect garden, additionally he was an avid golfer. Chaplain Tyson was a very active member of the community and was the first African American member of the School Board and was a member of the Lions Club. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Martha Tyson, infant son; brother Thomas Tyson, sister Irene Johnson; and grandson Brian Cheek. Surviving are his daughter, Angeline Cheek and granddaughter, Andra Jones both of California; great grandchildren, Bri'an Williams, Byanka Williams, Bryton Williams, Errol Myers, all of California, Brian Cheek Jr. of Colorado; and niece Cassandra Washington. The family will recieve friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 9, 2020, at Ridge Funeral Home and other times at the home. In lieu of flowers, the family request that gifts (donations) be made in memory of Chaplain Charles E. Tyson to the Coleman Tyson Siekman Prison Chaplain Scholarship Endowment. This endowment provides scholarships to ordained elders in The United Methodist Church, no more than 33 years of age, who are seeking professional certification to serve as chaplains in the criminal justice system. Gifts should be made to the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation at umhef.org/give or mailed to UMHEF, P.O. Box 340005, Nashville, TN 37203.