Lawrence Tyrone Willingham

LAWRENCE “TYRONE” WILLINGHAM, son of Frances (Clements) Brown and the late Clarence “Nick” Froneberger, was born on April 9, 1957 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was called to his heavenly home in the evening hours of Friday, August 31, 2012 when God gently closed his eyes and said, “Peace Be Thine.” Tyrone was a happy baby and brought much joy to his family. He was reared in a loving and nurturing family and got along well with his siblings. They were one big happy family. Tyrone adored and cherished his mother, Frances, and they shared a special bond. In every family there is always one sibling that is the glue that holds all the others together in this family, that sibling is “Teresa” so she and Tyrone had a special bond also where they would contact each other on a daily basis to make sure things were okay. One of the later delights in Tyrone’s life was his mother’s marriage to the most giving, sincere and spiritual man that God blessed him with, his new father, Rev. Dr. George Brown. Tyrone was raised in the community of Cherry Hill where some of his family still lives today. He was a kind, very caring and compassionate person. He was well liked and formed many lasting relationships with individuals (male and female) that he met as far back as elementary school. Tyrone’s popularity with the young ladies grew as he got older. He was often referred to as the “Billy Dee Williams” of Cherry Hill, the heart-throb. Tyrone was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System. He attended Cherry Hill Junior High School and graduated from Southwestern Senior High School in June of 1975, then he went on to Essex Community College. From 2002 to 2004 Tyrone attended Soujourner-Douglass College. On May of 1981 he graduated from Maryland Police Fall Facilities Academy. In 1973, Tyrone was a member of the Cherry Hill-Baltimore Neighborhood Basketball Team. Tyrone enjoyed sports, especially basketball. He was named “Most Popular Male Athlete” in 1975 at Southwestern High School, where he played varsity basketball his first year of high school. Tyrone played basketball for the radio station WEBB, WBGR and Heaven 600 with Lee Michaels. From 1983 to 1994, he played center and power forward, he was called the “Enforcer.” Tyrone accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age in life, and was baptized by the late Rev. Dr. Henry Simon, Sr. He was reinstated to church membership on January 29, 1984 (First Baptist Church of Cherry Hill). Tyrone worked many different jobs, from private companies to city government. In 1981, he was a Maryland Toll Police Officer, also worked for Pepsi Cola Company, G. Heilman Brewer and Advance Quality Painting. You would often find Tyrone using his skills doing painting, repair work and other odd jobs at First Baptist Church of Cherry Hill. Tyrone was at First Baptist quite often because his family are active members there. It was here that he caught the eye of the pastor’s daughter, Clementine Simon. Tyrone and Clementine were joined in marriage in 1991 to 2001 at First Baptist Church of Cherry Hill. Even though they divorced, they remained close friends. Tyrone lived his life to the fullest. He was delighted to be surrounded by family and friends, laughing and sharing in good times. All the children in the family adored Tyrone, both nieces and nephews. One special nephew that Tyrone would baby sit with “Nyle.” He was their Big Uncle “Ty.” Tyrone will be remembered for his ready and radiant smile, his outgoing personality and his friendly disposition. This Christmas, the Decoration Committee of First Baptist Church of Cherry Hill will certainly miss Tyrone’s assistance with the Christmas decorating. Those who knew and loved him will sincerely miss Tyrone. Tyrone leaves to cherish his memory: his loving mother, Frances Brown; his father, George Brown; five brothers, Leon Clements, Clarence Jr., Dwight, Gary Froneberger and Darryl Rice; four sisters, Sheila Parham, Linda Willingham, Teresa McLeod and Bernice Froneberger; five aunts, a favorite auntie Mildred Baskin, Ida Walker, Zenelda Ferges, Virgil Johnson and Toni McCullum; five uncles, Early, Victor, Frank, Judge and Reginald; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Lawrence Tyrone Willingham

April 9, 1957 - August 31, 2012