Dr. Victor H. Tynes, Sr.
Dr. Victor Horace Tynes, Sr., of Greensboro, passed away on October 6 at the age of 103 at Carriage House Senior Living Center. Dr. Tynes enjoyed an active life until the age of 99. He was an accomplished dentist, having served for a number of years as county health dentist for Guilford County in North Carolina. He was also an accomplished musician who played piano, guitar and sang (up until his death). Dr. Tynes drove until he was 99, and passed his last driver's test at 98. In the middle of his 99th year, he fell and was no longer able to move about on his own. Even so, he was an active member of his church, Unity, in Greensboro, until about a year ago, regularly attending and participating in services. Dr. Tynes was born in Ivondale, VA in 1915 to the Rev. Dr. Joseph Walter Tynes and Lucy Jane Rich Tynes. He attended elementary and high school in Lynchburg, VA, where he was president of his senior class. Dr. Tynes was a graduate of A&T State University (then A&T College) and taught English and biology there, as well as served as assistant librarian, and later the director of public relations. When World War II broke out, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Italy. After the war, he attended Howard University's School of Dentistry. After graduation from dental school in 1950, Dr. Tynes was selected by the Pentagon to help integrate Fort Bragg. There he served as one of Fort Bragg's first black officers and the first to live with his family on base. Dr. Tynes achieved the rank of captain. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion. After his military service, Dr. Tynes went briefly into private practice, and then worked for the N.C. State Board of Health. He then served for 29 years at the Guilford County Health Department as a public health dentist, eventually rising to head of the Dental Department. Dr. Tynes retired from public service in 1985, at the age of 70. Not one to sit on his laurels, Dr. Tynes taught classes and consulted with other dentists. Dr. Tynes became a member of the graduate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in his sixties. He served as their chaplain for a number of years, and was a loyal and active member throughout the rest of his life. Dr. Tynes was a member of Providence Baptist Church for many years, where his father was a long-time pastor. Most recently, he was a member of Unity in Greensboro, singing in the choir, hosting study groups, and providing all-around support. Unity and the fulfillment of its mission was Dr. Tynes' absolute passion in the latter part of his life. He made many friends there, and those friends supported him spiritually and emotionally until the end of his life. Although his confinement to a wheelchair for the last three years limited his mobility, he maintained a youthful disposition, and for his 103rd birthday party in August, he sang his favorite song ("What a Wonderful World") and gave an unscripted, truly impromptu 20-minute speech. Dr. Tynes survived two wives, both deceased, Hazel Ferguson Tynes and Blossom Hodge Tynes. Dr. Tynes leaves behind two sons, Victor (Judy) and Kevan; a stepdaughter, Brenda (Berchman Sr.) Grinage; and an extensive family of grandchildren, Cyprian, Ruth-Hazel, Kevan Jr., Winston Bryan III, Berchman Grinage Jr. (Maria), Michael Grinage (Jocelyn); great-grandchildren (Jada, Winston IV, Aidan, Chi, Vianne and Tahlia); and a great-great-grandchild, Riley. He is also survived by a sister, Margaret Tynes Von Klier; nieces, Adrienne Denes, Antoinette Smith, Lillian Tynes Perry (Phil), Morrisine Tynes Irving; nephews, Richard Roberts (Vonya) and Vernon Tynes (Kim), and many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 9 at 11 p.m. at the Providence Baptist Church, 1106 Tuscaloosa Street, Greensboro. Services will begin with a farewell ceremony by the members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at 11 a.m., followed by a brief visitation, with funeral services to begin at 12 p.m. Interment will take place after the service at Maplewood Cemetery, 235 Bingham Street, Greensboro.
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