Margaret Roxanna Tyner

(1867-1965)

Margaret Roxanna Tyner: A Matriarch of Family and Heritage

Born on April 13, 1867, in the quiet rural community of Neshoba County, Mississippi, Margaret Roxanna Tyner came into a world shaped by the post-Civil War South. The daughter of James Polk Tyner Sr. and Effie Ann McDonald, Margaret grew up in a family that valued resilience and community ties.

Margaret’s early years were filled with the companionship of her siblings, including William J., John Polk Jr., Andrew Jackson, Thomas H., Luther Edgar, Walter Louis, and Wesley Arthur. This large, close-knit family formed the foundation of her enduring values of unity and strength.

In 1888, Margaret married Simeon Austin Ozborn, beginning a partnership that would span decades and bring life to an extraordinary lineage. The couple built their home in Neshoba County, where they raised their children with care and love. Margaret and Simeon were blessed with a large family, including:

• Frank Ozborn (1889–1890), whose brief life brought the family an early understanding of loss.

• Josie Mae Ozborn (1891–1972), a beloved daughter who carried forward Margaret’s compassion.

• Gertrude Lenora Ozborn (1892–1989), a woman who lived through nearly a century of change and growth.

• Claud Martis Ozborn (1896–1977), a steadfast son embodying the family's values.

• Kline Ozborn (1899–1973), who enriched the family with his strength and dedication.

• Clarence Miles Ozborn (1903–1969), a vital part of the Ozborn legacy.

• Mack Ozborn (1904–1981), known for his loyalty and spirit.

• James Earnest Ozborn (1906–1946), whose life brought joy to the family before his untimely passing.

• Sim Bratis Ozborn (1908–1966), who contributed greatly to the family’s story.

• Bernice Elizabeth Ozborn Milling (1910–2008), who carried the family's traditions into her own long life.

As a matriarch, Margaret provided unwavering guidance to her children and grandchildren, ensuring that the values of perseverance and unity were passed down through generations. Her strength was tested by the losses of her husband Simeon in 1955 and several of her children, yet her legacy of love and resilience remained intact.

Margaret Roxanna Tyner passed away on August 9, 1965, in Jackson, Mississippi, at the remarkable age of 98. She was laid to rest in Newton County, Mississippi, surrounded by the family and community she helped to nurture. Her life, spanning nearly a century, reflects the enduring spirit of a woman who anchored her family through generations of change.