Tina Michelle (Wylie) Tryon, 53, of Gravette, AR, passed away on April 16, 2025. The following is written by her loving husband, Kevin.

Tina didn't like me at first. Or maybe it was just a moment of irritation as I interfered with her workflow in an awkward attempt to make my big move.  But I am getting ahead of myself. Our story didn't start until October 28, 1995.

Her story began in Bentonville on December 11, 1971. She was born to Glen and Helen Wylie, the middle daughter of three.  Tina was blessed to be the child of loving, hardworking Christian parents who believed in the tenets of faith, family and working hard for what you want. Glen and Helen instilled these wonderful attributes in each of their girls and they lived their life by them in word and deed.

Tina loved her parents deeply and spoke often how grateful she was for their sacrifice and love. This was her example she would follow when she had her own children.

Tina's best friend as a young child was her older sister Cheryl (Hooten). She told me of making mudpies and going on horseback rides with big sis.

Glenda (Herron) was the youngest and Tina told me she doted on her little sister and how much joy she had to finally be an older sibling. Her sisters were her best friends as a little girl, young lady.

All three daughters are strong Christian women. Each one was a valedictorian in their class. All three were blessed with musical talent and would sing together in church and holidays. Sometimes her uncle Dennis would join in. Cheryl played piano as they sang holiday favorites and special songs her Grandmother Lucille Elsea loved.

They are loving and dedicated wives and mothers. A testimony to power of a loving, nurturing home built by Glen and Helen.

Tina was quiet and shy in high school. She didn't like to be the center of attention. I have the privilege of being friends with two of her high school classmates, Nema (Labrecque) and Paul Keith. Each of them has been wonderful and caring friends throughout Tina's life. They told me things about her that only solidified what I already knew. It was great to hear them affirm.

Tina graduated from the University of Arkansas with honors in accounting in 1996. Her family and I were so very proud. She flirted with the idea of working in Dallas at an accounting firm.

This is where I came in, that first date was awkward, scary and exciting. I was on a

losing streak so I didn't think there would be a second date. So that took pressure off, though I was still nervous. The Razorbacks were playing that night, there was a T.V behind her and I checked it periodically. Walking back to the car on the square in Fayetteville, I knew. I felt the magic, I knew she was special, and I was hoping I didn't screw it up. She was different and I wanted more.

We dated for 9 months before getting married on July 26, 1996. Tina had worked at Food-4-Less and learned how to make cakes, so she did her own wedding cake to save money. Helen sewed her dress, and each sister helped with all sorts of tasks. My brother-in-law, Paul Hooten took care of the video and pictures. Tina was big on saving money.  Which is why we had a small, family and close friends only wedding.

Our first five years together were carefree and just digging each other. We just would pick up and go. Making huge hoagie sandwiches and then an ice cream run.  I never knew I could love someone so much.

Tina hated apartment living. She wanted a home with a yard, so we started the process. And it was arduous as you can imagine. We settled on building on family property and with the help of her dad we built a nice, comfortable home with no intentions of ever selling.

Tina wanted a family as soon as we moved into the house.  Our first born, Thomas, blessed us on his arrival April 3, 2001. I cannot describe the joy watching her hold her baby for the first time. As a little guy Thomas adored his mother and had nothing to do with dad the first 3 years of his life. People might say he was a mamma's boy; I think it was wonderful and wouldn't have it any other way. That bond never changed even into adulthood.  He is a strong, handsome man, could not be prouder.

Ashley arrived December 22, 2003. She was and is our little princess. I was wrapped around her finger and still am. Ashley has so many of her mother's qualities, from her looks to her character and mannerisms. I thank God for her.

Tina immersed herself into being a mother with every ounce of her soul. She didn't balance another life and being a mom. She was first and foremost a mother. Nothing gave her more joy or satisfaction. She didn't need affirmation or to seek advice from anyone on how to do it. She already had an example and her own mind. She was the best mother I ever saw.

One of her many shining moments was when I was deployed to Iraq. Mother instincts went into overdrive. She was determined to keep things as normal as possible while I was away. She sent me a video of everything they did, the most mundane daily events. So, I could have a feeling of being with them. She didn't adopt the poor pitiful me approach, she stiffened up like the strong woman she is and made sure her kids would not be affected as much as possible.

Tina told me early on she had a heart for adoption. When I returned from Iraq, we began the process of fostering. We had 3 cases before we decided to adopt. Isaac and Laura came to us on a weekend and never left. Isaac is the youngest and is severely autistic. Tina never buckled. She learned all she could about autism and researched countless books and articles.  She eventually knew as much about it as anyone.

Isaac is a loving and special young man because of her. He tends to be violent, and it scares people. We lost a lot of friends and contacts through the years because they could not understand why we would do this. She endured physical attacks multiple times as she worked through Issac's outburst. I lost count of how many times I pulled him off and controlled him. Each attack or outburst was met with unconditional love, compassion and understanding from her.

Laura has turned out to be a smart and beautiful young lady and we are so proud of her. I can't wait to see where life takes her.  Her mother will walk with her every step.

Her children will be her legacy and testimony, nothing could be more powerful for a mother.

Cancer is evil. Surely, it's the work of Satan. April 2024 she was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. I was devasted. Tina took it nearly in stride. What started a small dot on her foot grew into a tumor. She fought; she fought so very hard. Her faith never wavered. Even after 8 rounds of immunotherapy, trips to Houston, Little Rock and countless doctors' visits. She fought.

She decided on taking a holistic approach, I believe this helped her emotionally and physically. She still started to decline. Each day the decline was worse as her body quit on her. Her will and spirit never did. Watching her go through this hurt more than anything we have ever been through.

Her last day of life was a hard one. Cheryl kept the meds going to keep the pain away. There is no medicine for the pain in my heart watching the love of my life gasp and try to breathe.

The last moments were thankfully peaceful as we all said goodbye. She left this earth on April 16, 2025. As tormenting as the last year was, the future without her will be something I can't think of right now. She was my best friend for 29 years. That cannot be replaced.

Me and the Lord are going to have to work things out, because I will never understand why. She was the kindest person I ever met. The Lords servant. She would never hurt anyone. And yet, she gets called home. Of all the evil in this world, the Lord takes someone who was a faithful servant, loving and kind. I will never understand that.

She will be missed every single day by everyone who knew her. One of the hardest things to deal with is our daughter-in-law Lizzy is pregnant, and Tina will never get to love and cherish that grandson. This hurts more than I can express.

Ashley and her husband, Draeagon will start a family soon.  Its not right or fair those babies will be robbed of her love.

I rest on the promise of the Gospel. We will know each other in Heaven. So, Tina is waiting on us. What a joyous reunion that will be.

Goodbye for now sweetheart. I love you; I will think of you every day for the rest of my time.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Covenant Church, 760 S Lincoln Street, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 with burial to follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hiwasse, AR.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.