Octavia (Tay, Mama Tay) Stewart Wyrick, age 83, of Orlando Florida, passed away in the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, April 1, 2024. She was born on June 29, 1940 to Lee and Lucy Stewart in Memphis, Tennessee.
Tay attended Memphis State (Now University of Memphis). Tay worked as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines for several years before meeting her husband, Wayne Wyrick. Together, they adopted their child, Paul. Growing up, Paul knew he had a fierce warrior on his side. He was brought up in the ways of the Lord. She was the pivotal soccer mom, taking him and several of his friends to games and practices. She loved watching him in the backyard water skiing.
Paul married his wife Cary, and Tay adopted her as her daughter in “love.” Another of Tay’s joys was her grandchildren, Cass and Katy. She would spend hours reading to them, taking them to Barnes and Noble to pick out new books or throwing pennies in the fountain at the mall. She was truly their greatest cheerleader in life, she adored them. Mama Tay worked at U.C.F. as the house mom for Tri-Delta for over 20 years. She always referred to each girl as one of her own.
She ministered to hundreds of girls at the sorority house, always putting scriptures on the refrigerator, holding Bible studies, attending sporting events, skit nights and so much more. She was an amazing role model for each of us. Her favorite word was JOY-Jesus, others, yourself. To know Tay-was to love her.
Tay was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando and also a part of an amazing Sunday school class that she spoke of often. This church and the congregation was so much more than just a place to worship for her. She was always so excited to go see her friends and learn more about her precious Jesus. She was known for the one who always asked the hard questions, wanting to know more about her Lord. The most important thing to her was her personal relationship with Jesus. If you had the privilege of knowing her, you were prayed for fiercely and intimately. In fact, over the last few years, after our pandemic, Tay adopted a lifestyle of waking up extremely early and not only praying for hundreds of people, but sending daily scripture to her loved ones. When you woke up, you knew you had been prayed for. Knowing Tay made you want to know Jesus more. She was truly the matriarch of our family.
Tay loved more than anything spending time with her family. She loved to read Historical books about any and all Presidents, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were two of her favorites. She loved spending time with her friends and family, going to luncheons and having that special shared desert and a cup of coffee. Tay loved any holiday season, loved getting dressed up and being with all her friends and family. Tea rooms were one of her favorite places to go. She also loved traveling to Europe and exploring the world.
This amazing woman was a daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece, sister, and friend to all.
Tay is survived by her brother, Tom Stewart and wife Barbara Stewart; son Paul Stewart Wyrick and daughter in law, Cary Lee Wyrick; grandson Cass Stewart Wyrick and granddaughter Katy Lynn Wyrick.
Her parents, Lee W. Stewart and Lucy Canon Stewart; sister Lucy Fulton and husband Harold Fulton; Dr. Bill Stewart and Annie Laura Stewart preceded her death.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church Orlando. 106 E. Church Street, Orlando, Florida 32801 at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Reception to follow.