Tyrone R. McQueen

Tyrone Roland McQueen was born in Richmond, Virginia on November 1,1938. He passed away peacefully after a brief illness at the age of 87. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Mrs. Ella McQueen, his father Roland McQueen, mother Charlotte McQueen and was the last of eight siblings.

“Mr. Tyrone”, as he was affectionately called, graduated from Armstrong High School and continued his education at Kittrell College, a private HBCU where he was a star running back. The athletes in his time would often remark how he could run that ball. He was often featured in the newspapers for his remarkable prowess on the football field. Mr. Tyrone met the love of his life Ms. Ella at Kitrelle. They returned to Richmond, got married and started a family. He worked for 33 three years as the maintenance and grounds foreman at Mary Mount Catholic School and 15 more at Ukrops Supermarkets. He took great pride in the fact that he put both of their children through college.

Mr. Tyrone believed in education and hard work. So much so that after retiring from Ukrops, he took a job at Harvie Elementary as their cafeteria monitor. He loved helping the children in that cafeteria but could not understand why they kept so much noise. For years, he enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys play and later became a Ravens fan. A gambler, he would often invite friends on Friday nights to play poker, where he allowed his daughter to fill the glasses with ice to make tips. On Saturdays, he could be found throwing the football with his son Jay. Mr. Tyrone was a “numbers man” who was the treasurer for the Die Teufel Social Club Inc. for many years and enjoyed playing the lottery. He was known to give you a “tip” if he hit. In fact, he was generous to everyone. If you needed a loan, you could call “Tyrone”. He used to say Erykah Badu was singing about him.

Although he practiced Catholicism for most of his adult life and attended Second Baptist Church with his wife from time to time, at the age of 85, he joined the First Baptist Church of South Richmond. He was faithful to the 11:30 service carrying his hat in hand and was fond of his pastors, Dr. Dwight and Derik Jones. Mr. Tyrone was a civic-minded, “gentle” man who loved his family, was proud of his children and kind to all he met.

Mr. Tyrone is survived by his son Gary J. McQueen (Jeannette), daughter Rev. Dr. Michelle McQueen-Williams; son Bernard Johnson; grandchildren, Kelly and Erik a McQueen and Byron Williams; a devoted sister-in-law Louise McQueen; and a host of other relatives and friends.