Murray Mason Tyson

Murray Mason Tyson went home to be with the Lord on September 18, 2026. He was 89 years old.

Murray was born February 17, 1937, the fourth of his parents six children, in Butler, Alabama. After graduating high school, where he was voted class favorite, in 1955 he went on to serve his country in the army. For two years he was stationed in Germany before returning home and serving in the national guard.

From his early days, Murray carried a strong, steady presence—quick to listen and slow to speak—and a dry wit if you listened closely. There was nothing he couldn’t fix and no one he wouldn’t help. He was serious about integrity and quick to find joy in what he had—most of all his girls.

In 1961, Murray married Liz and they moved to Memphis welcoming their first of three baby girls, Tammy, within the year. Janet and Laura followed soon after. The family eventually moved to Southaven, Mississippi to live in the home Murray built himself.

Murray spent his 30-year-career at Sears Crosstown, first picking catalog order tickets and eventually as building superintendent before he retired in 1992. In retirement, Murray filled his extra hours woodworking, tinkering with engines, dreaming up projects with Liz and taking his grandchildren for tractor rides and breakfasts of papa cakes.

Above all, Murray devoted himself to the good and the joy of his family. He made sure they could bait a hook, change a tire and that his grandsons had any tool they needed. He was invested in their ambitions and the backbone to their whimsy. He captained the ski boat, nurtured his girls’ rowdy pet goose (Henry), and sat hours-on-end by the pool so the grandkids could play a little longer. He committed all his fix-it skills to see Liz’s plan come to life, even building the cabin on her Alabama homeplace that became the backdrop to so many family memories.

Over his 89 well-lived years, Murray’s wisdom and generosity touched many. But his family was the biggest recipient of that steady love.

Murray is proceeded in death by his parents, Sadie and Charlie Tyson, his three brothers and two sisters, and one grandson, Ethan Lafferty.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elizabeth Tyson, his daughters Tammy Tyson, Jannet (Tom) Lafferty, and Laura (Mike) Davis. Grandchildren Grant Richards, Tate (Delia) Richards, Sarah (Jonathan) Carter, William Lafferty, Tyson (Rebecca) Lafferty, Garrett (Hannah) Davis, Gavin (Donavyn) Davis, and Abby Davis. Great grandchildren Eliza Richards, Isaiah Davis, Jeremiah Davis, Lucia Davis, Nova Davis, and, due in October, Grace Carter.