Nell Cooper Tyson

Nell Cooper Tyson, 96, stepped out of this world and into the arms of Jesus on April 14, 2026, at her home surrounded by family. She was born on February 27, 1930, to the late Junius Obit Mooneyham and the late Ellen Brown Mooneyham.

She is survived by her daughters, Kathyrn Cooper Broughton and her husband Al, Ann Cooper Byerly and her husband Gary, and Susan Cooper Cole, her stepsons, James Tyson, Jr. and Bruce Tyson and his wife Brenda, and stepdaughter Donna Tetrault (Burges); grandchildren, Jill Hopper (Lee), Alan Broughton (Hannah), Michael Byerly (Lynn), James Byerly (Kristi), Melissa Hudson (Rayford), Jonathan Cole, Stephanie Kidd (Gavin), Beverly Tyson (Rodney), Kathy Schmitt (Peter), Jimmy Tyson (Sawako), Katie Barber, Chris Barber (Elisabeth), Nathalie Marshall (Graham) and Will Tyson; 24 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the love of her life, James Edwin Tyson, Sr., sisters, Hazel Stallings, Lottie Mae Bagwell, Kathleen Cash, and brothers, Marvin Mooneyham, Leslie Mooneyham and E. W. Mooneyham.

Nell was a life-long member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Raleigh where she served as church treasurer, church historian, Sunday school teacher, and VBS worker. Her favorite position was serving in the nursery where she could love on all the babies just as Jesus loved her. She loved singing in the choir and used her beautiful alto voice to sing His praises even in the last days of her life.

The family would like to express our appreciation for the love and years of care given to her by Nan Aye, Peggie Harris and Brenda Tucker and to Transitions Lifecare for their care in her last days. 

Donations may be made to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 and The Gideons International, Raleigh North Camp, PO Box 99557, Raleigh, NC 27624.