Willie Mae (Rives) Tysor

Ms. Willie Mae Tysor, age 91, of Sanford, NC, transitioned into eternal rest on Saturday, August 1, 2026.

The Obituary 

Mrs. Willie Mae Rives Tysor was born on January 16th, 1935, in Goldston, North Carolina, to the late Ruth Hayes Rives and George Rives. She peacefully entered eternal rest on August 1st, 2026, in her home at the age of 91.

Willie Mae was raised in Goldston, North Carolina, where she attended the Goldston Colored School. In her early years, she married the love of her life, Alfred “Tea” Tysor. Together they built a life rooted in faith, family, and love, making their home in communities throughout Central North Carolina.

Willie Mae gave her life to the Lord at an early age and faithfully served every church where God placed her. She ministered through singing, cooking, youth departments, the deaconess board, and mentorship, and offered steadfast support to her pastors and church family. St. Luke United Church of Christ remained her beloved home church, and her devotion there never wavered.

She was one of the founding members of The Joyettes, joyfully sharing her gift of song. Through music, she touched countless lives, often singing beloved songs such as “I Am a Living Testimony”. Her songs were an extension of her faith, reminders of God’s goodness and sustaining grace. Willie Mae was known for her loving heart, peaceful spirit, and extraordinary love for all people.

Her pride and joy was her family. It was nothing to hear her brag on what her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren had accomplished. She never met a stranger and had a remarkable way of making every person feel seen and valued. She had a quiet sense of humor, cherished inside jokes and treasured personal connections with everyone she encountered. Her life reflected Christ’s love, offered freely, gently and without condition.

Willie Mae was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alfred Thomas Tysor, her parents, Ruth Hayes Rives and George Rives, her children, Glenda Mae Tysor, Raymond Tysor, Alfred “Lewis” Tysor, Eartha “Funcie” Tysor, and Catrina Wallace. Her brothers, Harold Rives, George Rives, and Anthro (AC) Rives. Her sisters, Betty Womble, Lillie Headen, and Bernice Yarborough, one great-grandchild, and two great-great-grandchildren.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory, her daughter Veronica (Vincent) Pendarvis of Edgewood, MD, sons, George (Laquita) Tysor of Wendell, NC, and Samuel (Tom) Headen of Sanford, NC; her sister Maude Alston of Gulf, NC; grandchildren, Tasha (Will) Williams and Lakisha Headen of Siler City, NC, Shonda Sutton(Gerald), Philadelphia, MS, Kevin Wallace of Asheville, NC, Raymond Tysor Jr. of Washington, DC, Nekeya (Tank) Sewell of Edgewood, MD, Erika Tysor of Greensboro, NC, Vincent Pendarvis, II of Phoenix, AZ, Victoria Tysor of Charlotte, NC, Alex Tysor of Pittsboro, NC, Ashley Tysor of Raeford, NC; and a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, along with many extended family members, friends and all who loved her.

Those who knew Willie Mae will forever remember her singing, “Somewhere to Lay My Head.”

Throughout her life, that song was more than a favorite. It was a testimony of the hope and peace she carried in her heart. Today, we take comfort in knowing that the hope she sang about has become her eternal reality. She has found her everlasting home, a place of perfect peace, where she can forever lay her head in the loving presence of her Lord and Savior.

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home - Sanford, NC