Sally Mae Tyson-Lake

Sally Mae Tyson-Lake departed her life on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 8:50 AM, surrounded by her loving family, after a brief illness. Sally was born on March 13, 1928 in Kilmichael, MS to Charlie and Nettie Sue Tyson.

She accepted Christ at an early age, as a member of Shady Grove Methodist Church in Kilmichael, MS. Sally and her family moved to Arkansas, where she attended high school, graduating in 1946. Sally then moved to Memphis, TN, where she met Curtis Lake, the love of her life. In 1948 they married and had four children: Curtis Jr., Samuel, Veronica and Beverly. In 1953, the family moved to South Bend, IN.

Sally was a hard worker and caregiver. Her love and passion for people and children led her to become a Den Mother for Cub Scouts of America. Children were her passion. Sally worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in the Pediatrics Unit. She was also an assistant principal at Martin Daycare Center for several years, a factory worker at Dobermite Plastic, WheelHorse and at AM General. After that, Sally became a private duty caregiver. She provided care to whomever needed it, family especially. She never turned anyone down.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Nettie Tyson; her husband, Curtis Lake, Sr.; her sons, Curtis, Jr. and Sam Lake; her daughter, Beverly Lake; her granddaughters, Arkisha Smith and Takease Lake; three brothers: Jimmy, Gladys and Richard Tyson; and her sisters, Inez Gillespie and Joann Tyson.

Surviving is her daughter, Veronica Lake of South Bend; sisters Lela Armstead of South Bend and Aslene James of Memphis, TN; two special sisters, Beverly Blockson of Indianapolis, IN and Jan Runnels of Elkhart; brothers Luther Tyson of South Bend, Arthur Tyson and Anthony Tyson, both of Toledo, OH and Henry (Mary) Tyson of Dayton, OH; a special aunt, Bernice Tyson of Cincinnati, OH; her god daughter, Rhonda Campbell of South Bend; as well as a host of extended family members and friends.  

Granny loved her grandchildren. She had nine grandkids, 23 great-grandkids and 12 great-great-grandkids, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, extended family members and friends. My mother, our Granny, sister, aunt, confidant and friend will greatly missed by all who knew her.

Services for Ms. Sally Lake will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Palmer Funeral Homes – West Chapel, 2702 Lincoln Way West, South Bend, IN 46628. Friends may call on the family for an hour prior to services at the funeral home. Pastor James “JB” Williams to officiate. Burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery. Due to current events, the family requests that all attendees observe social distancing recommendations during the visitation and service, as well as wear a mask or facial covering while inside the funeral home. Online expressions of sympathy may be left at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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