Vaddie Mae Tennyson's Obituary
Age 94, returned to her Lord and Savior on December 28, 2008. “Throw me in my garden and I’m as happy as Brer Rabbit in the briar patch”, she was fond of saying. Born in Larue, Texas, she grew up in Allen, and married into the successful Tennyson family of Allen, being honored in 2007 in a dedication at St. Mary Church, which doubled as the Allen Colored School. She later graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas, and attended Prairie View A&M. She will be remembered for her style, her smile, her devotion to her church, and as the mother of Dallas’ Queen of Jazz, Shirley Tennyson-McFatter. Vaddie was preceded in death by mother, Linner Bigby; brother, Doc Bigby (wife Mamie Bigby), and daughter, Shirley Tennyson-McFatter. She is survived by her son-in-law, Joe McFatter, and a host of nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM, Friday, January 2, 2009 at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 3, 2009 at Porter Temple C.M.E., 3223 Hatcher, Dallas, TX.
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