Thyra Sayles

    Thyra Oneita Sayles was the youngest of six children born to the late Matthew W. Sayles and Norma Bass Sayles.
    Thyra embraced Christ at an early age and assimilated with Shiloh Baptist Church. She later joined Scruggs United Methodist Church where she was actively involved until her health began to fail.
    Thyra began her professional career as a licensed barber. She later attended Licensed Vocational School in Granada, Texas and was a surgical nurse for more than 30 years.
    She began her career as a sales representative for the Batesville Casket Company, taking over from her husband, John Williard Bowden, where she had a fruitful career for more than 20 years.
    She leaves to cherish previous memories a daughter, Sandra Cranford, one son, Matthew Washington, both of San Antonio; four grandchildren, LaNita McCollum (Kevin), Converse; Derek Webb (Maria), Dallas; Shawn Dean, San Antonio; Vanessa Washington, Fort Worth; three great grandchildren, Taylor and Derek II, Dallas, and Antwon Walker, San Antonio; one great-great granddaughter; one cousin who was reared with her as a sister, Laura Hazley Giles, Austin; one sister-in-law, Maxine Sales, and nephew, Tom Sayles, a grandnephew and niece, Matthew Sayles and Jennifer Sayles, all of Los Angeles, Calif.; and a legion of other kindred, colleagues and friends.
    In lieu of flowers you may send a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or the G.W. Carver Scholarship Foundation.