Essie Tyms

I was born in Blackhawk, Mississippi, in Carroll County, to my parents Annie Mae and Tom Whiteside. They moved to the Delta on a Plantation when I was very young. I attended Tchula Attendance Center High School in Tchula, Mississippi, and graduated in 1966. Then I attended a Vocational Training School in Greenwood, MS, to be an office secretary, and graduated from that school as well. I got married and had four wonderful children, one girl and three boys. But my marriage lasted only twelve years. I raised my children by myself, with the help of God, Who gave me wisdom and knowledge. I am a grandmother of ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. I’m so grateful for them all. I worked in a hospital for thirty-two years as a patient service assistant. My job allowed me to work in all departments throughout the hospital. I retired in July, 2010. So I have experience with people from all walks of life, and with all kinds of illness, attitudes, and obstacles in their lives. And with that, I learned that it takes all kinds of people to make up this world.