Martha Bunn Tyson

Martha Bunn Tyson passed quietly August 22, 2025, morning while seated at her breakfast room table where she kept close watch over her beloved neighbors. Martha was born March 12, 1927, in Kenly, North Carolina to the late James Robert and Rosa Bell Bunn. She is a graduate of Rock Ridge High School, Wake Forest College; now Wake Forest University and the Bowman Gray School of Medical Technology.

In 1948 she married Duncan Wright Tyson and moved with him to Florence where she remained until her death. Even though she grew up in the First Baptist Church of Kenly, once in Florence she joined First Presbyterian Church becoming an active member up into her latter years. Once joining the church, she served the Women of the Church as Historian and a Circle Chairman. For many years she enjoyed teaching the First Grade Sunday School class, but she and Duncan particularly loved the Lawson Rain Adult Sunday School class and its members. Many members became her closest friends.

Upon first moving to Florence, Martha worked as a Medical Technologist at McLeod Infirmary and later as an involved mother. She raised her children and served as a leader for both the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. She was a charter member of the Athorian Dance Club, an active member of the Junior Welfare League and the Green Thumb Garden Club. Preparing her wonderful Southern meals and entertaining her family around the dinner table was one thing she treasured. Even into her last years, she enjoyed nothing more than dinner with her family, especially while discussing politics, finances and the weather. Those outside the family knew they were special if they were the recipient of her prized pecan pies and biscuits. Once the children had left home, Martha began a career preparing taxes with H&R Block which lasted 39 years. This was a position she truly enjoyed.

She is survived by her sons and their spouses Duncan Wright Tyson, Jr. (Genia) and James Bunn Tyson (Dawn), grandchildren Elizabeth Tyson Gibson (Michael), Martha Norris Rauch (Brian) and Duncan Wright Tyson III (Dorothy) and eight great-grandchildren Emma and Anna Gibson, Brody, Carolina, Catherine and Cameron Rauch, Wright and Walker Tyson, and her adopted daughter Nancy Knapp Rogerson. Martha is predeceased by her husband, daughter Elizabeth Tyson Norris, sisters Doris Starling and Louise Woodard and brothers George Bunn and David Bunn.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the ladies who served as her companions in her latter years: Cynthia Brown, Sharon Hicks, Freddie Mae Pooler, and Ruth Sparks.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church Monday, August 25, 2025, at 11 a.m., immediately followed by a Visitation/Reception in the Jenkins Fellowship Hall at the church.