Tyson
BLACKSHEAR - Mrs. Larraine Byrne Tyson, 78, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Satilla Bluffs Senior Care Center in Blackshear.
Mrs. Tyson was affectionately known by her family as Rainey, Mama and Granny, and by some of her railroad work family as Drizzle. She became known as Mike Tyson by the Hearth Hospice Staff because of her feistiness.
She was born June 1, 1947 in Waycross to the late Eugene John (Yankee) Byrne and Billie Mae Bowen Byrne. After high school, Mrs. Tyson completed business and clerical classes at the technical college. She retired from CSX Transportation as a clerk after 42 years of service. Mrs. Tyson worked in various locations throughout her career including The Shop Offices, The Depot, A&B Towers at the Rice Yard, and three years in Jacksonville, Fla., before returning to Waycross to finish her career at the Engine House.
Mrs. Tyson enjoyed traveling and camping, especially at the mountains to see the leaves change colors in the fall. She also enjoyed working in her flower gardens, reading, crocheting and baking. She loved attending Sunday School and church. Mrs. Tyson was a member of Sweat Memorial Baptist Church and a former member of Jamestown Baptist Church for many years.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her second husband, John T. (Pete) Peterson, Sr.; her siblings, John Patrick (Pat) Byrne and Sherilyn Byrne Rigdon; sister-inlaw, Shirley Byrne; stepdaughter, Debbie Peterson; stepsons, John T. (Jay) Peterson, Jr., and James Peterson; niece, Patty Byrne; and great grandson, Mason West.
Survivors include her loving and caring husband, Ralph Tyson; daughter, Pamela Crawford (Ricky) of Waycross; stepchildren, Gary Peterson (Melinda) of Columbus, Ga., Ran Tyson (Connie) of Blackshear, and Ron Tyson (Tracy) of Texas; siblings, Perry Byrne (Diane) of North Carolina, Bill Byrne of Missouri, David Byrne (Darlene) of Jackson, Ga., Joyce Troisi (Vince) of North Carolina, Kathy Davis (Stacy) of Guyton, Ga., Carol Adams (Jim) of Barnesville, Ga.; brotherin- law, Anion Rigdon, Jr. of South Carolina; 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A funeral service was held Saturday, June 21 at Sweat Memorial Baptist Church. Burial followed in Greenlawn Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Gideon’s International.
The family would like to extend its deepest, heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Satilla Bluffs Senior Care Center and Hearth Hospice for the compassionate care given to Mrs. Larraine.
Music Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
