Dorothy M. Tyler

Dorothy Tyler was a soldier in the United States Army Women Air Corp during World War II,  and honorably discharged in 1946.  She was one of the last WACS in the nation.

Before Dorothy returned to her native Pennsylvania, she made a trek to Los Angeles, California.  She quickly became associated with Hollywood and worked for Actress Joan Fontaine as her Chauffeur and Personal Assistant.  Her stories of Joan and her sister Olivia De Havilland (Gone With The Wind) were a joy to hear.

She was married to the Elias S. Tyler on August 17, 1947, also a WWII Veteran until he went home to be with The Lord in 2004.  To that union, God Blessed them with two children: a daughter, Darselle “Dee” Tyler Patillo and a son, the late Elias S. “Ike” Tyler, Jr.

Her career led her to Beauty Culture, and she was known as the best press and curl hair stylist in the area.  She was a child care worker with Allegheny County Children and Youth Services, and the Catholic Diocese.  Dorothy and Elias were foster parents for over 25 years to so many children in the Beaver and Allegheny Counties.  When she was not caring for her family, or serving her Church or Community, she enjoyed singing and composing music, water skiing, RVing across the United States with Elias after his retirement.

One of the many songs she composed was ‘Our American Flag’.  And one of her proudest accomplishments was receiving her GED Certificate at the age of 52.  This inspired her to organize the first adult Night School Program at Jones Elementary School on Plan 11 in Aliquippa.  She attended several classes at Community College of Beaver County.  Dorothy was the chairman of the first PTA at the then newly built Aliquippa Junior High School.

Dorothy and Elias founded The Tyler Youth Group, Inc., a non-profit 501 (C) (3) community-based organization; Tyler Community Center, and The Tylerettes Marching Drill Team for the youth and families in the Beaver Valley Area.

Mother Tyler has received many acknowledgments and numerous accolades for her work in Christian Ministry and her Community.  She received a Congressional Tribute of the 101st Congress, First Session 1990 and a Recipient of the Community Champions & Jefferson Award in 2008.

Her introduction to an extensive career in Christian Ministry spans over six decades.

Mother Tyler began church work in 1952 at Christian Lighthouse Church, Kodesh Church of Immanuel, Aliquippa.  She was a graduate of Harty Bible School; a former Sunday School Superintendent and a devoted and dedicated church missionary.

She was influential in organizing the Miracle Church of God In Christ II, Aliquippa under the late Pastor Dr. David A. Armstead.  She organized the Junior Church of the Church In The Round, Aliquippa under Bishop Melvin E. Clark, Sr. and also coordinated diligently many Prayer Breakfasts for First Lady Dr. Melessie E.R. “Little Mama” Clark.

Mother Tyler supported her niece Evangelist Addie Davis Watkins, and her husband Elder James Watkins, Pastor of Deliverance Temple Church of God In Christ, Aliquippa. Her Faithful Service continued at Sound Alarm Ministries under Pastors Richard and Vera Shymoniak, Aliquippa. As a Satellite Member, she extended her fellowship at From The Heart Church Ministries, Suitland, MD under Episcopal Pastor, Bishop John H. Cherry, II.

A Born again, Holy Ghost filled woman of God and a Faithful Servant of Holy Spirit Fellowship Church, New Brighton where she served on the Mothers Board, Willing Working Women, and faithfully attended Sunday School, Wednesday Bible Study, and Friday Morning Prayer under the pastorship of her God-son, Rev. Oshea Vreen, Jr.  and her niece Rev. Avril Vreen, Founder and Sr. Pastor.  She last attended Resurrection Sunday 2019 Services to see her grandsons perform in the Easter Program.  During that Sunday it is stated that she said her goodbyes.  Mother Tyler exclaimed, “All of my life, and through numerous ministries, I was searching for Love.  I found it here at Holy Spirit.”