Raymond Charles Tennyson, Sr.

Raymond Charles Tennyson, Sr. was born in New Orleans, LA on September 13, 1925 and was a very dedicated family man, happily married to the love of his life, Wilhelmena White Tennyson, for nearly 70 years and was a deeply loved and cherished “Girl’s Dad.” He was most proud of their three daughters, Gayle, Karla, and Allison, and the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren they shared. He most recently resided in Laverock, Springfield Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Raymond was a baptized and devout Roman Catholic. He and Wilhelmena were members of St. Genevieve Roman Catholic Church in Flourtown. He and Wilhelmena were members of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church, Philadelphia for 52 years before it closed. Subsequently, they were warmly welcomed as members of St Genevieve. He was a consummate gentleman warmly welcoming and enjoyed engaging with others. He was a very entertaining storyteller who maintained a memory that impressed all who knew him. Raymond and Wilhelmena traveled the globe as open-minded citizens of the world. A military veteran, he dedicated 30 active-duty years to the United States Navy during WWII, the Korean War, the Bay of Pigs, and during the Vietnam War, having been stationed on many ships. He was Honorably Discharged in 1970, and continued a long career with the City of Philadelphia as a Parole/Probation Officer and Court Liaison until he retired in 1987. He was an alumnus of Temple University and Lincoln University with a master’s degree in Human Services. Since 1980, Raymond was a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Philadelphia and since 1991 of the United American Indians of the Delaware Valley. He is survived by two daughters: Gayle Byrd [Jerome] and Allison Ibrahim [Abdul Aziz], ten grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren and enjoyed sharing in a close-knit, supportive atmosphere of love and encouragement. He kept in close contact with loved ones – his surviving sister, Ramona Toliver of Houston, TX and with the many extended family members and friends with whom he often spoke. He constantly repeated his love for them all. Raymond was pre-deceased by his wife, Wilhelmena; daughter, Karla; son, Raymond, Jr.; his parents, Willie and Burdette; and his brother, William “Bill.” Funeral Services will be held privately.