Gwendolyn Tyler was born on August 31, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Gwen was the 7th child of the late Estella and William Smith, Sr.
Gwen attended South Hills High School and Allegheny Community College where she excelled in her studies and earned an Associate Degree. She applied for and earned a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and consequently, drove school buses for Pittsburgh Public Schools. Gwen attended a driver’s seminar in March 1995 and received a safe driver award from the National Safety Council.
After high school, Gwen married Fred Thomas (Tommy) Tyler. From that union are four children; Duania, David, Dana (Victor), and Doral. Gwen was devoted to her children and had a special relationship with each of them. It was not uncommon for the family to play basketball, softball, and board games together. She also liked to play Bid Whist, Spades, and Dominoes. She had a winning spirit and mastered just about everything she tried.
Gwen was an empath and pursued instruction and certification in Reiki, Level 1. Any injustice sparked hurt in her soul and she often camouflaged her concern with frustration. Those who really knew her were familiar with her love, generosity, and kindness. Gwen consistently made donations to many charities including St. Jude, the American Heart Association, and Feed the Children.
Gwen rededicated her life to the Lord when she was baptized on June 8, 2008. In 2010, Gwen had a double lung transplant and received her “angel lungs” as she affectionately called them. God blessed us with over 11 additional years to enjoy her fighting spirit. She prayed daily and called on the Lord to hold her hand through her many health challenges. God called her home on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
In addition to her children, Gwen leaves behind her brother, William (Billy) Smith, Jr. (Debbie), and her sister, Antoinette (Toni) Higginbotham (Ben); 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren and countless nieces, nephews, and friends.
There is a great celebration in heaven as Gwen was welcomed Home by her parents, grandparents, Loanie and William Green, and siblings: Oteria and James Cotten, Velma Jean and Ocie Hamlin, Audrey Mae Smith, Doris Smith, Nathetta Joyce, and Nelson Payne, and Allyn Howard Smith.
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