Joan B. Tyson

Ms. Joan Tyson, age 88, from Atlanta, Georgia, passed away Friday, August 23, 2024. She graduated from Cook High School in Adel, GA and attended Patricia Stevens Finishing School for modeling. She was a loving homemaker, consummate hostess, and local print and runway model. Later she became a successful career business woman for over 30 years. She was an interior designer at Milam’s Lighting and then became the Corporate Buyer for Progressive Lighting where she truly enjoyed her work as the top salesperson, designer and import buyer for over 20 years.

After retirement, Joan enjoyed her home in Peachtree City, GA before moving to Butler, GA with her life partner Wayne Mullins. Together, they designed and built a beautiful life and home on “The Farm”. Joan enjoyed everything The Farm had to offer including the frequent company of family and friends, the property and gardens, the abundant wildlife, and her dogs, most recently her beloved Zoe. Joan was very active at The Farm spending hours gardening, playing in the dirt and picking up sticks earning her the nickname Stick Whisperer! She also continued the passion she exhibited throughout her career by designing (and redesigning) room-after-room as a ‘furniture moving enthusiast! Throughout her life Joan loved to listen to music and dance, and now she is dancing amongst the stars forevermore!

Joan was born the daughter of Clarence and Lucille Sumner on January 5, 1936 in Sparks, GA. She is survived by her son, Paul Tyson and his partner Lydia Neill of Butler, GA; her daughter Pam Tyson and her husband Harald Pietz of Brookhaven, GA; former daughter-in-law Maureen McLoughlin and her husband Tim McLoughlin of Cape San Blas, FL; her grandson, Chris Tyson and his partner Jessie Tran of Decatur, GA and her sister Lynda Sumner of Sparks, GA as well as many special nieces, nephews and extended family members in Georgia, Florida and beyond.

She is predeceased by Wayne Mullins, her brother Billy Sumner and sister Debbie Martin.

Immediate family will hold a private Celebration of Life at Bent Tree Farm in Butler, GA.

In lieu of flowers, for those wishing, the family is asking for donations to the ASPCA https://www.aspca.org or the Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org .