“Her children rise up and call her blessed.” — Proverbs 31:28
A devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, faithful Church Mother, trusted friend, and humble servant of the Lord, Theresa Antonette Wynn lived a life defined by faith, grace, generosity, and unconditional love. She lived 98 remarkable years, serving God, loving her family, and uplifting everyone fortunate enough to know her along the way. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched with kindness, wisdom, compassion, and unwavering faith.
She was born Theresa Antonette Blizzard on April 2, 1928, in Manhattan, New York, to Nicodemus and Ella Blizzard. She was raised alongside her siblings Henry, Ellen, Morton AKA “Piggy,” Bessie, and Donald. After the untimely passing of her parents, Ellen and her husband, Harry “Sharky” Lightbourne, took Theresa and Donald in and raised them along with their oldest daughter, Yvonne, like brothers and sisters. Theresa and Donald were also like older siblings to the Lightbournes’ youngest two children, Harry Jr. AKA “Butch” and Gail, who came years later.
At an early age, Theresa accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, beginning a lifelong walk of faith. After graduating from Washington Irving High School in Manhattan, she began her professional career with Charles Trading Company, where her intelligence and work ethic earned her a promotion to manager. Theresa carried herself with elegance and dignity, always treating others with warmth and respect.
A soulmate entered Theresa’s life through family when she was introduced to James Wynn, affectionately known as “Duke,” by her younger brother Donald. Duke and Donald were best friends. Duke and Theresa’s bond blossomed into one of life’s greatest love stories, and they were united in marriage on October 30, 1954. Together they built a union rooted in faith, friendship, communication, and unwavering devotion that endured for nearly seventy years until Duke’s passing in 2023.
Theresa and Duke first made their home in Brooklyn in the 1950s and welcomed two sons, Kevin and Craig. Their household shifted to Hollis, Queens, in the late 1960s. Like their place in BK, the Hollis home became the family’s gathering place, hosting holiday celebrations, Sunday dinners, backyard barbecues, birthday parties, music-filled evenings, and legendary weekend card games that often lasted from Friday through Sunday.
She loved fashion. Theresa was always fly from head to toe; her makeup was always flawless, and you could never catch her without her nails manicured, even to her dying day. A stylish cap was a staple in her wardrobe.
Theresa also enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. She rooted for her hometown teams, the New York Knicks and the Mets. She loved relaxing at home while watching classic Westerns, especially those starring John Wayne. It was fitting that John Wayne and the love of her life, James, shared the same nickname—“Duke.”
Charismatic loved ones such as Len and Lucy, Tiny and Joe, Nute and Marlene, Carrie and Emmett, Louie, Ernestine, Duke’s brother Amos, Anne Norley, T’s childhood best friend Dee Dee and her husband Joe gathered around the table for spirited competition, endless jokes, colorful language, humorous storytelling, making for unbreakable fellowship during those marathon games.
Theresa also looked forward to lively games of Pokeno with family and friends, especially in her later years, where laughter was just as important as the game itself.
The Wynns’ home was a place where everyone felt welcome and where generations of family and friends created memories that will be cherished forever.
Known as “The Best Cook In The Family,” a mantle she inherited after the passing of her sister Ellen. Theresa’s legendary pot roast, fried chicken, spareribs, baked macaroni, homemade macaroni salad, sweet potato pies, lemon and chocolate cakes, and so many other dishes became staples at family gatherings, bringing generations together around her table.
Throughout her professional life, Theresa pursued her passion for beauty as a licensed cosmetologist at the legendary department store Gertz before beginning a distinguished career with the New York City MTA as a Token Booth Collection Clerk at the Bryant Park station in Manhattan. She earned the admiration of her coworkers through her dependability, professionalism, and dedication before retiring after many years of faithful service. She even made the news on multiple occasions for her efforts to thwart fare evaders.
In 1993, Theresa and Duke relocated to Newport News, Virginia, where they became devoted members of Colossian Baptist Church. Theresa faithfully served as a Church Mother, Missionary, Gleaner, member of the Bread Ministry, Benevolent Committee, Wednesday Bible Study, and the Church Kitchen Ministry. Her church family affectionately called her “The Queen.” She was also honored by the City of Newport News as one of its distinguished Nonagenarians in recognition of her lifelong faith, service, and dedication to others.
Family remained Theresa’s greatest joy. She celebrated every milestone, prayed for those she loved, and made every person feel valued. Whether someone knew her as Ma, Mom, Grandma, Aunt T, Miss T, Ricky, The Queen, or simply Theresa, they experienced the same warmth, encouragement, and unconditional love.
On Friday, July 17, 2026, Theresa peacefully entered into eternal rest at Riverside Regional Medical Center, surrounded by members of her family and friends. Though her earthly journey has ended, the legacy she leaves behind continues through the generations she nurtured, the traditions she established, and the values she faithfully lived each day.
Theresa was preceded in death by her husband Duke; their oldest son Kevin and his mate Francis; youngest son Craig; her parents, Nicodemus and Ella Blizzard; siblings Henry, Ellen, Morton, and Bessie; nephew Butch; niece Veronica AKA “Ronnie”; nephew David AKA “Rashie”; great-niece April; great-niece Michelle; great-nephews, Vincent and Kevin; and godson Leonard Wilkins AKA “Moe Moe”; great-granddaughter Imani; great-grandson Jamel; and many other friends, nieces, nephews, and loved ones who welcomed her into eternal glory.
Left to cherish her memory are her brother, Donald Sr.; her grandchildren Shaunta, Shaunna, Tuere, Krystal, and Craig AKA “Lil Craig”; and her great-grandchildren, Xavier, Alexander, Kiah, Evan, Janae, Kayla, Kedia Jr., Coby, Shawn, Chyna, Kai, and Kyce; niece Joyce Roach AKA “Chickie” as well as Chickie’s daughter Anna and son-in-law Leonard; nieces Yvonne Reid and her husband Leroy, and Gail Lightbourne; nephew Donald Blizzard Jr. AKA “Donnie” and wife April, and their children Ebone and Raven; great-niece and goddaughter Yvette Sledge and her husband Thomas and daughter Taniesha; great-niece, Lynette Gandy; great-nephews, Shaheem Reid and Ari Frazier and his mate Selena, along with their children Arianna, Amari, and Isabella.
Those who will also continue to honor Theresa’s memory include Denise Marshall; Theresa’s goddaughter Andrea Jones; cousins Napolean Hayes and his daughter Wanda; sister-friends, Rebecca “Tiny” Miller, Lucy Wilkins, Arthur and Theresa Dennard, Willie Wallace, Alberta Wilson, Edward AKA “Mister” and his wife Carol, Sheila and the Ingram Family, Charlotte and Tony Codrington, Kurt Wilkins, Della Harris, Deacon Alvin and Deaconess Tena Tucker, Trustee Kenneth Fennell, and Harry “Pee Wee” Dixon; and a host of great-great grandchildren, great-great-nieces and nephews, in-laws, extended family members, dear friends, church family, and all whose lives were forever enriched by her love.
Though she has answered God’s call and entered into eternal rest, Theresa’s spirit lives on in every lesson she taught, every prayer she offered, every meal she prepared, every tradition she established, and every life she touched. Her beautiful life was a blessing; her memory will forever be a treasure, and she will be deeply loved, profoundly missed, and joyfully remembered for generations to come.
“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord.” — Matthew 25:23
