Our Staff

Joseph Preston "Little Joe" Tyree, 94, of Oak Hill, WV died peacefully on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at Bowers Hospice House in Beckley, WV.

Born March 07, 1926 in Curtsville, WV he was the son of the late Augustus Jewell "Gussie" and Thelma Gertrude Blake Tyree.

Joe Tyree was the third generation owner of Tyree Funeral Home, Inc. - a business started by his grandfather, Joseph Paul Tyree, in 1915.

He attended school in the Curtsville area before going on to be a 1944 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley. Joe was a 1948 graduate of the Cincinnati College of Embalming. He returned from mortuary school to begin a long career in the funeral business. The "Joe Tyree'' way was to provide a professional, dignified funeral for the members of his community - a community he knew very well. Ask him about any family around and he could give you a chapter and verse on all their family. His memory was amazing. He took his responsibility seriously and had strict standards for his employees who will continue to care for this community the way he taught them.

Joe was a member of the Oak Hill Baptist Church, Oak Hill Lodge No. 120 A.F. and A.M., Mount Hope Commandery, Scottish Rite Bodies, and Beni Kedem Temple. Joe was so proud he was a charter member of the Oak Hill Civitan Club.

A people person, Joe loved going to the Pax Reunion and talking with old friends. He was so proud to be named reunion honoree in 2010. In 2001 he was Oak Hill Quota Club Roast Honoree.

If Joe had a claim to fame it would be that when country music legend Hank Williams was pronounced dead at Oak Hill Hospital on January 1, 1953, Joe took Hank's body into his care and a few days later drove his body to Montgomery, Al for burial. He was always gracious and eager to talk with anyone who called to ask about the event.

His wife of 62 years, Elizabeth Isabelle Sesler Tyree (12/31/2012) ; two sisters, Marjorie "Margie" Gertrude Tyree (12/25/1975) and Frances Janet Tyree (12/13/1991) preceded him in death.

While not having any immediate family remaining, Joe is survived by and will be missed by all the employees and former employees of Tyree Funeral Home; his dear friend, Cora Miller; and a host of friends.

Graveside services and committal will be on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 11:00 am at High Lawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill with Pastor David Sneed and Pastor Greg Swisher officiating. Burial will follow. Anyone wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Those planning to attend should use proper COVID 19 precautions by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing of 6 feet.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the OHHS/CHS Alumni Association, Inc., PO Box 462, Oak Hill WV 25901 or Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley WV 25801.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, WV.

Jonathan David Wood is the Owner of Tyree Funeral Home as of January 2022 and the Licensee-In- Charge.

He grew up around the funeral business and has worked at Tyree Funeral Home since September 2015. He is a 2006 graduate of Independence High School. After serving his funeral director/embalmer apprenticeship under his father, David, at Tankersley Funeral Home in Mullens he attended Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 2015.

Outside of work Jonathan's great love is basketball and Shag dancing. Some of his greatest sports achievements include winning the Raleigh County Basketball Championship while at Park Junior High in 2003; receiving the Most Valuable Player Award as a player for Independence in the Sectional Championship and being inducted into the Independence Basketball Hall of Fame in December 2015.

Bill has been employed by Tyree Funeral Home since June of 2002. He and his wife, Peggy, reside in Summerlee, WV and are the parents of three children, William Fink of Silver Springs, MD, Christy Dean of Buckhannon and John Lambert of Lewisburg. They attend the Mountain View Church of God. He is a member of the Mullens Lodge No. 151 A.F. and A.M. and Admiral Chapter No. 50 R.A.M.

Bret Rust joined the Tyree Funeral Home staff in March 2018 as a part time employee. When needed, he ably assists with funeral services as a driver/attendant.

Bret is employed full time with the WV Department of Highways. He and his wife, Kim, reside in Oak Hill, WV and are the parents of two sons.

Darrell B. "Boo" Wilshire has been a part-time employee for Tyree Funeral Home since October 1997. When needed, he assists with funeral services as a driver/attendant and because of his diligence our automobiles look and operate at tip-top performance. Boo is employed full time for the WV Department of Transportation, is active with the Oak Hill Fire Department and a member of Oak Hill Lodge No. 120 A.F. and A.M. He and his wife, Melissa Kidd Wilshire, are the parents of two sons, Tyler and Scott.

Coming to work at Tyree Funeral Home in December of 2021, Lora Persinger assumes the position of Secretary.