Tiwanda L. Mayhue

On Friday, June 2, 2023, God, in His infinite wisdom and divine love, called his beloved poetess Tiwanda Lynnette Mayhue to her eternal home, granting her peace and serenity. She was born on April 16, 1970, to Rufus French and the late Geraldine Mayhue. Tiwanda departed this earthly life on Friday, June 2, 2023, surrounded and embraced by her son and little/big brother.

Tiwanda was not only a Durham Public School system graduate but also used her life experiences as teachable moments. She and her husband were the owner/operators of Deliverance Transportation. Before that, she was employed by Duke Hospital as a Radiology Technician and also worked for GoDurham ACCESS transit. A little fun fact, Tiwanda had a 3rd-degree black belt.

Anyone who was graced with Tiwanda’s presence knew her loves were God, her boys, and music. She was a DJ, rapper, beatboxer, and poet. She was formerly in a rap group with Sherlene Merritt aka Frosty and Anthony “Nabs” Fowler (also the DJ of the rap groups, Icey Girls and Kriss Kross). “Poetess Baraq” was well-known and nationally sought after for her spoken word. Her love for God inspired her poetry; they were intertwined and inseparable. True to form, her lyrics were not always soft but imbued with the Holy Spirit. You never knew how they would hit, but she delivered them with passion, truth, and the power to transform, and she always glorified God.

Tiwanda was preceded in death by her loving husband, Randolph “Sim” Lyons, her mother, Geraldine Mayhue and her grandmother, Doretha Mayhue.

Her legacy will be carried on by her loving son, Randolph Isaiah Lyons of Durham, NC; her father, Rufus French (Rhonda) of Durham, NC; two brothers, Tehron Coats of Durham, NC and Rufus Nico French (Allison) of Lexington, NC; a godson, Juan Olmeda, III; two goddaughters, Jayla Moore and Shala Moore; and a plethora of friends and family.