Blythe Branch

Bessie Tyson Blythe

(3rd Cousin 1x removed)

Bess Tyson Blythe, a long time resident of Elkins Lake, Huntsville, Texas, passed away on November 11, 2011. Mrs. Blythe was born in Lowndesboro, Alabama on February 8, 1914. She was the daughter of Thomas B. Tyson, Sr. and wife the former Fannie Rose Robinson of Point Blank, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Col. William J. Blythe, Sr., and her brother, Thomas Brown Tyson, Jr. Mrs. Blythe is survived by her son, Bill Blythe and wife Dell of Houston, grandchildren, Alison Blythe of Irving, Ashley Zachry and husband, Josh of San Antonio, Paige Griffin and husband William of Houston, great-grandchildren, Davis Zachry, Will Griffin, Ginny Griffin, Joe Griffin, sister-in-law, Helen Tyson of The Woodlands and children, Melissa Tyson of The Woodlands, Todd Tyson and wife, Wendi of Waco.

Mrs. Blythe’s forbears were among the founders of the Republic of Texas. She served as Regent of the Mary Martin Elmore Scott Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Huntsville, Texas, 1980-1982; Deputy Governor, Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Texas, 1983-1985; member Daughters of the Republic of Texas; National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century; Order of the Crown; Emperor Charlemagne, National Society of the Magna Charter Dames; National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, National Society United Daughters. of 1812, past President, Military-Civilian Club, San Antonio, Texas and an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville.

Funeral service were conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 19th of November, 2011 at the Point Blank Community Church, 432 Robinson Way, with interment following in the Robinson Cemetery. The Rev. Jack Bailey, Pastor of the Point Blank Community Church and the Rev. Douglas Richnow, St. John the Divine Church, where Mrs. Blythe was a member of the Daughters of the King, are to co-officiate.

Citations received during World War II and the Korean Conflict included the Legion of Merit twice, Bronze Star with cluster, the Air Medal with clusters, Presidential Citations with 2nd Award, Army Commendation Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Badge, Lorraine Cross (France) and the Keys to the City of Seoul (Korea), and others. Later as Chief of the Special Warfare Division, Department of the Army, he was responsible for policy, training, and conduct of world-wide Army Special Forces (Green Berets). Then as the Army Member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff he produced theatre plans and studies in unconventional warfare for Vietnam and Malaya. Next as Plans Staff Officer of the U.S. European Command, he coordinated UW plans, serving in England, France and Germany. His service was culminated in 1962 when as G-2 of the Fourth U.S. Army he was again awarded the Bronze Star. Col. Blythe received the George Washington Medal, Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge, in 1967 for outstanding achievement in bringing about a better understanding of the American Way of Live. Upon retiring from the military in 1962 he settled in Austin and founded, with his son, the William Blythe Advertising and Public Relations Company.

In 1973 he and his wife moved to Elkins Lake to be near the ancestral properties of Bess' family who were early pioneers to the Republic of Texas. At Elkins he enjoyed a full and productive life becoming greatly involved in community and civic affairs that include the organization of the Elkins Lake Community Association, serving as its first president and serving also on the Board of Trustees. He was an avid golfer. A joy was teaching the game to his two granddaughters.

His strength of character, high standards and commitment to higher education have a lasting influence on his family. Genealogy was a fascinating hobby and he traveled extensively here and abroad in his research. He was member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Huguenot Society and Valley Forge Freedom Foundation. He was a life long Presbyterian and active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville.

Colonel William J. Blythe, Jr.

He served in the Session as Chairman of the Finance and Stewardship Committee and a member of other committee. He is survived by his wife, Bess, of sixty-nine years, a son William Jackson Blythe, Jr. and wife Dell of Houston, two granddaughters, Alison and Ashley Blythe of Dallas, sister-in-law Helen Tyson of Point Blank, nephew Dr. Todd Tyson and wife Wendi and their sons Garand and Wyatt of Waco, niece Melissa Tyson of the Woodlands, cousin Libby Hansen of Point Blank and a host of friends. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville at 2 p.m., Friday, April 16, 2004. Internment will follow the service at the Robinson Family Cemetery, Point Blank, Texas. Officiating will be Reverend Kenneth Jack. The family will receive friends and loved ones at the Huntsville Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 15. If desired memorials may be made to the William Blythe Memorial Fund, First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville or to the charity of your choice. We invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family at www.mem.com. Under the direction of Huntsville Funeral Home.

Source: Houston Chronicle on 4/15/2004.