Robert Watson Tyler of Jonesboro, LA was born Thursday, August 23, 1934 in Creston, Louisiana to E.A. and Lois Pullin Tyler.  He entered into his Heavenly rest on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.  He grew up in the Chestnut area and graduated from Readhimer School.  He attended Northwestern State University and then enlisted in the United States Navy as a Corpsman and was honorably discharged.  While in the Navy, he married the love of his life, Barbara Gean Harvey and they settled in Louisiana and started raising a family.  After serving his country, Robert continued his studies and received advanced degrees from Northwestern State University and Louisiana Tech University.  He was blessed with a lengthy career beginning at Provencal High School and continuing at the Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans before returning to establish a home in Jackson Parish and teaching in both Winn and Jackson Parish Schools.

After retiring from teaching, Robert enjoyed farming, gardening, helping his wife can vegetables, setting up as vendors at Bonnie and Clyde, and fishing at the pond with the grandkids.  His grandchildren were especially fond of their "Papaw's" cooking adventures in the kitchen.  "If Honey doesn't need to add it to the pot, then we don't need it either" was a favorite reminder.  He also loved visits from friends, neighbors, family and former students with who he liked to "reminisce" about the school days.

His later years were spent in service to the Lord, becoming an ordained Baptist minister and serving as interim pastor at several churches in the community, before completing his ministerial service at Mt. Olive Church.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Janet Carol Tyler Hutto; parents, E.A. Tyler and Lois Pullin Tyler; sister, Brenda Tyler; brother, Joe Seeph Tyler; sister in law, Barbara C. Tyler; Brother in law, Neil Lowe; sister in law, Helen Tyler; brother in law, Richard Barlow.

Those left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 68 years, Barbara "Honey" Tyler of Jonesboro, LA; daughter, Rebecca L. Masters (Rickey) of Quitman, LA; son, Robert D. Tyler (Gail) of Quitman, LA; grandchildren, Robyn Buchan (Michael) of Quitman, LA, Ryan Masters (Ashton) of Quitman, LA, Lila Buchholz (Eric) of Hurricane, WV; Regina Kittler (Andrew) of Bossier City, LA; Jon Wages (Reagan) of Monroe, LA; Sean Tyler of Charleston, SC; 10 great grandchildren, Tucker Masters, Tinsley, Samson and Hannah Buchholz, Avery, Easton and Matthew Buchan, Emilia Kittler, Remi and Lily Upshaw; sisters, Juanita Tyler Lowe of Ruston, LA; Nellie Tyler Barlow of Weston, LA; brother, Royal Tyler of Elm Grove, LA.  He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may visit with the family on Friday, October 13, 2023 in the chapel of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home from 5:00-8:00PM.  Funeral services are set for Saturday morning in the chapel at 11:00AM with Bro. Mike Green, Bro. Bobby White and Bro. David Womack officiating.  Burial will follow in Walnut Ridge Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Ryan Masters, Michael Buchan, Andrew Kittler, Jon Wages, Mark Turner, Rick Barlow, Ty Tyler, Ronnie Wedgeworth.  Honorary pallbearers will be Freddie Joe Capps II, John Harvey Capps, Joshua Wilks.