Naomi Tyler

On December 31, 2020 at the age of 99, Naomi Hand Tyler received her golden wings and joined our heavenly Father.
Naomi was born February 18, 1921 to Ed and Mollie Hand in Pender County, North Carolina.

Naomi who preferred to be called "Na" or "Tyler" was one of 10 children; she was born between 4 boys, therefore, she was spoiled and expected to have "her way". At age 9 she was Baptized and became a member of Pike Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

As a teenager she often visited her sister Katie in New York, and fell in love with the "city", so upon graduation from Pender County Training School in 1939, as a member of the "Great Migration", she moved to Brooklyn, New York. Upon arrival she enrolled in the Adult Evening School at Girl's High School in Brooklyn, where she majored in Secretarial Science; after which, she attended Goldwater School of Nursing School New York. After graduating she was employed as a nurse/receptionist to Dr. Abraham Florin MD for 30 years.

In 1942 she married Dr. Joseph Tyler. The two enjoyed the gaiety of the New York scene. She was especially fond of dancing at the famous Savoy Ballroom and going to the Brooklyn Dodger's baseball games. Both were social activist. She used her secretarial skills to aid and advance the Civil Rights Movement. She prepared documents and flyers for A. Philip Randolph, Shirley Chisholm and Whitney Young. She participated in the 1963 March on Washington and the 1968 Poor People's Campaign. She was a member of several civic organizations, The Sons and Daughters of North Carolina; the Eastern Stars; The National Urban League; and the NAACP. She was a member of Concord Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board and the Choir. She was a student of the internationally renowned pastor, Dr. Gardner C. Taylor. She enjoyed conversing with dignitaries like Martin Luther King Jr., Harry Belafonte, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and others who visited the church to raise funds for the "Movement". Concord was the largest Baptist Church in Brooklyn. Mrs. Tyler was known in Brooklyn as a true humanitarian, that "Go to Person". She was very dedicated and involved in the lives of "her people from down home" whom she loved dearly.

In the late 1970's she joined her daughter's family in Dayton, Ohio. She retired from nursing at the age of 70. She was awarded by Hospice of Dayton for her dedication to the profession of Nursing. After retiring, she studied at Sinclair Community College, and became a Fire Inspector for the City of Dayton's Senior Aid program. She was later employed by the Senior Resource Center as a Social Work aid. Upon leaving that position she became a volunteer at Catholic Social Services, and was awarded their Volunteer of the Year 1990.

Until she was stricken with Alzheimer's she was actively involved with her new church home, The Tabernacle Baptist Church where she served in the choir and was a member of the Pastor's Aid Society. Her favorite scriptures were Psalms 51:10-13 and Ephesians 6:11-17. Although she had a fascinating and glamorous life, she remained meek and humble. Always having Christ as the center of her life.

In Ohio, she was a member of several civic organizations, including the Deborah Chapter of the Eastern Stars; Urban League Guild; the National Council of Negro Women. Her hobbies were gardening, fashion design, traveling, reading, watching professional baseball and basketball games, and figure skating; in addition, the Williams sisters playing tennis, Tiger Wood playing golf and ladies' soft ball.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Mollie Hand, her husband, Dr. Joseph Tyler; sisters Katie Armstrong, Emma Jordan and Wilma Jackson; brothers, James Edward, Pender, George, Ralph and Malachi Hand.

Her survivors include her daughter, Marguerite Walker; Grandson, Derek L. Walker; Sister, Lillian Moore of Dale City Virginia; a God Son, Kris Jefferson; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins from the Hand, Jordan, Armstrong and Graham branches of her family. In addition, adopted daughters and village of angels in Dayton; Janis Bryant Hayes, Vurniece Jackson, Diane Gaither-Thompson, Linda Eby White, Denise Berryman Lennon, Linda Clay Dixon, Beverly Adams King, Ruby Pruitt, Bennette DeCoux, Dr. Giovanni Bonds, Charles Scandrick and former Mayor Hon. Rhine McLin.

The family wishes to thank the care givers and staff at Elmcroft of Washington Township Senior Living facility for their exceptional care and support. They are truly a five-star, family centered community. Also, the staff of the Bobby Dunn and Newcomers funeral homes. Due Season's in Burgaw, NC has the honor of providing the funeral floral arrangements, (910) 259-0857.

Marguerite and Derek wishes to extend their undying gratitude to Earl and Mary Jordan for their assistance in facilitating their Aunt Na's burial service, during this challenging and unprecedented time due to the COVID-19 virus. A memorial service is planned at a later date.