Obituary - Tyra D’Sha Jones Wagner

Tyra D’Sha Jones Wagner passed away unexpectedly on July 8, 2023, at her home in Richmond, Virginia. She was 60 years old. Her family is deeply saddened by her sudden death. Tyra was born on April 16, 1963. Tyra is survived by her husband, Scott Wagner; father, Benny Jones; her children, Corbin Tilson, Crossley Wagner, and Abbie Ann Wagner; grandson, Jack Tilson; siblings, Ben Jones (Melissa), and Tanya Mason. Tyra was predeceased by her mother, Glenda Jones.

Tyra was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and moved to Richmond with her family at age five. She and her family attended Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church, and she was a student at Hermitage High School. Tyra then attended Longwood University, where she was a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business. She married Scott in 1986, and they spent four years in the Air Force. Following their time in the Air Force, the family lived in Richmond, moved to Arizona for a few years for Scott’s job, and then back to Richmond. Tyra was a member of Gayton Baptist church for decades and founded a women’s group called “First Choice.” Tyra and Scott started a business, Custom View, together in 2004, though Tyra primarily worked in the home when her children were young and transitioned to working more at Custom View as they became older. Tyra had many interests and passions. First and foremost, she was a dedicated mother, and she frequently emphasized that nothing brought her as much joy as being with “her girls.” Tyra was a fierce friend with a gift for establishing and maintaining a sense of community within her sphere, and was a “point person” in emergencies, coordinating people, maintaining a sense of calm, and managing logistics. Tyra was a great cook and a remarkably skilled hostess, her home always a gathering place for friends and family. She was aesthetically talented, with gifts in home decor, gardening, flower arranging, and fashion. She was highly curious and always learning about new topics, including real estate, medicine, and travel. Tyra was known for her expertise in FUN. She encountered delight in each soul and space that she met.

Family and friends will be received 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday July 13, at Bliley’s, 8510 Staples Mill Road. A celebration of Tyra’s life will be held 11 a.m., Friday, July 14, at Gayton Baptist Church, 13501 North Gayton Road. Per Tyra’s wishes, please arrive to celebrate her full, vivacious, joyous life in your most FUN attire, in both body and spirit. In lieu of flowers, plaese donate in Tyra's memory to Gayton Baptist Church.