The World According to Sweet Tiny

Tiny was born May 27, 1922 in Los Angeles, California, and was a resident of Compton, CA for more than 50 years. Compton is where she raised her six children; four children, Clint, Lee Jr., Pearl, Candace from her loving marriage to Lee Shelby Sr., and from her loving union with Marion A. Knox were Anthony and Marian Knox.

Tiny graduated in 1940 from Los Angeles High School, where she studied Creative Writing and Poetry. She expressed deep feeling for her people in her work. She became self published in 1948 and was recognized for her poem, "Racial Pride."
She sold this as a source of income throughout the years.

She was a loyal and dedicated mother; a faithful provider who worked as a retail sales clerk at Thrifty Drug Store for twenty years.

Tiny was an active member of Enterprise United Methodist Church, Crossroad United Methodist Church, and St. Marks Chursch. She was also a member of United Methodist Women.

She participated in her children's education. She was not only a member of the Tibby Elementary PTA, but she was a past president. Tiny had also been a member and president of Compton's Business and Professional Women's Club. She was involved in Civic affairs by helping bring the library to Compton in the early seventies. Tiny was an activist for adult literacy, spending her time helping teach adults to read at the Compton Library.

When the City of Compton was considering closing the Compton Mental Health Department, as a client, Tiny spoke out in protest to the Compton City Council, representing the importance of the program's benefits to the community. As a senior, Tiny utilized her spare time to benefit others. In her seventies she became a Reading Granny at Tibby Elementary School.

She never met a stranger because she could communicate with anyone who came into her path. She made them feel warm with her presence. With great intentions to broaden her territory in the community, she studied the Spanish language.

Throughout the years, Tiny's tender heart opened her home for many family members in need. She had a wonderful sense of humor. She was also very informative and resourceful; always ready to give advice. She was Tiny, but stong to her convictions, never easiliy swayed, yet so compassionate. Her life was a great example for all African American Mothers, especially the young.

With Tiny, even the bad was sweet!

A Warm Conclusion

Tiny spent her later days a resident of Riverside County. She lived closely in the care of her son Lee Shelby Jr. and Vickie Shelby, Daughter-in-Law. In the last several months, Tiny made it clear that she was prepared for her journey, letting go of individual needs, entering into a tranquil and peaceful state. Tiny had a unique spiritual communication towards others. She wanted her loved ones to know she was prepared and proud of her life. She was confident in her reflection of her principles and works.

On the last day, she befriended a woman needing comfort. God blessed Tiny sweetly without suffering, that day—in her cozy little nap, the Father embraced her and carried her home.

Lord lay me down to sleep, I pray the lord my soul to keep.

If I should die before I awake, she prayed the Lord, her soul to take.

A Long Awaited Reunion...

Preceding her in death was her Husband, Marion A. Knox; her mother Pearl Holloway Williams, her father Scott Wiliams; her brothers, Elliott Williams, Clinton Williams, and Alfred Williams; her sisters, Will Lela Sylver and Dora Williams Ford.

Tiny is survived by her sister Beatrice Mackie; her brother Odom Williams and Sister-in-Law, Betty Williams; her children, Clint Shelby, Lee Shelby Jr., Pearl Shelby Sharpe, Candace Shelby Thomas, Anthony Knox and Marian Knox. Tiny also leaves behind many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of friends and neighbors.