I have been blessed for more than three decades now to be called, “Matt’s Mom.” Being a mother is one of the most joyful things I believe can ever happen to a woman.
I recently met another mother who impressed me greatly with her love for the Lord, her children and the Hamilton community.
Her son’s story begins on the front page of this newspaper--The Tyree Wilson, “Time to Soar,” article.
When your children play sports or are in the band in Hamilton, you become known as “Matt’s Mom” or “Tyree’s Mom.”
Tiwana Dumpson also blessedly gets to be called, “Rakeem’s or Rocky’s Mom,” as well as “Jasmine’s Mom.”
I’m grateful to get to share here some of the “behind-the-scenes” comments we weren’t able to get into the main story, but which the private lady has agreed to let us publish.
I believe Tiwana is letting us share these intimate comments to glorify God, to let others know how this community embraced her and her children and reveal how thankful she is for the talents they were gifted with.
Tiwana moved to Hamilton when her youngest son, Tyree, was in the fourth grade. She got a job at the Toyota factory in Blue Springs, Miss., and it was just too far to travel back and forth to her former home in Fayette on a daily basis.
Little did she know then, that moving to Hamilton was part of God’s plan to propel her children--through band and sports programs--into full-ride scholarships for their education, and to give them great head starts on successful careers.
“Moving here (Hamilton) was the best thing that ever happened to me and our family,” Tiwana said.
She explained her oldest, and first child, Rakeem or Rocky, now 26, was asked to join the football team shortly after he started school at Hamilton.
“From there, he played basketball and ran track. And from there, he was offered a full scholarship to Mississippi College. He went in for basketball, but there was no place for him on the team, so he had to wait a year. The track team coach asked him to run for them.”
During his four years of running track for the Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss., Rakeem was selected as a 2021 NCAA All-American. He is currently an exercise physiologist in Ridgeland, Miss.
“I tell you, when you put your trust in God, everything works out. You never know what’s going to happen, when you leave it in God’s hands.
“When Rocky went there--from Hamilton to Mississippi--they funded everything. And it was like a God-saving grace for me, because I had surgery and was not able to work anymore.”
Tiwana said the blessings on her and her family continued to rain down upon her next child, Jasmine.
“They transferred down to Jasmine,” she said. “She was really good at basketball--even better than her brother. They ended up giving her a scholarship to college.”
Jasmine, now 22, attended HHS for seven years and played basketball. She received a four-year academic scholarship to Northwest Shoals in Muscle Shoals. She is currently studying real estate, taking online classes.
“The blessings went from there--my first two kids--now to Tyree,” she said. “All my kids were awarded things from this town.”
Tiwana’s youngest son, Tyree, is only 20, but he’s traveling internationally to play his flute in orchestras. The junior at the University of Alabama also has a massive social media following, and is already representing flute and clothing brands.
Tiwana grew up with music all around her. She sang with her own sisters and her mother at church. James Dereck Wilson, father to Rakeem, Jasmine and Tyree, plays several instruments himself. Tyree has said “he sings into his flute.”
During Tyree’s interview, Tiwana who was also present, impressed me as she noted God’s hand on her youngest when he was struggling with concentration issues.
She said she’d always felt there was something beyond the physical affecting the “social butterfly.” Tiwana was the one who saw the flyer for the band, and felt led to encourage Tyree to do instrument testing.
“I asked God for answers, and the band was a saving grace,” she said. “That flute became like luggage to him. He carried it everywhere. It took his focus off being so hyper.”
Tiwana explained, with God’s grace and mercy over Tyree’s life, and with her faith, she was even able to take her son off of medication.
“I just kept trusting Him, and now you can see the fruits of what God can do in your life if you just trust Him,” she said. “It’s God’s favor over Tyree which has allowed him to keep going forward in his career. We’re just thankful and humble.”
Another added blessing the family is grateful for is the college’s assistance in helping to fund Tyree’s extracurricular activities. Tiwana and Tyree said they are so thankful UA and the School of Music pay for his lodging and traveling.
And even though most of his opportunities arise from his solos and social media, they agree the university also looks good because he’s a student there.
“He’s making a name for himself, but he’s also making the university look good,” Tiwana added.
Regarding social media, Tiwana said she didn’t realize at first, the “power of networking.” She was asked how Tyree responds to “haters or trolls” trying to attack him.
She noted, “He doesn’t. He doesn’t respond. There’s no need for negativity. Everybody is not going to like you. What God has for you is just for you.
“You get where you are because of how good God gives, not because of people saying ‘this and that.’ It’s about how you live and staying in God’s will, and knowing His plan and His purpose for your life and your future.
“I tell Tyree to stay in that mindset and not be in the mindset of people throwing stones at him. ‘Blah, blah, blah’ doesn’t matter.’ God will take care of them. Let Him prove them wrong.”
Tiwana says Tyree overlooks a lot, but she can tell when the pressures add up on her son.
“I tell him to stop worrying and having anxiety,” she said. “He is a perfectionist, but sometimes you can’t perfect something. Just play your flute and go on. Stay humble. There’s lots of opportunities.
“God has placed Tyree where he can walk over the enemy. He has so many opportunities.”
She feels deeply all her children’s blessings have come from God through the family’s connection to the City of Hamilton.
“People ask me if I’m ever going to leave Hamilton,” she said. “I say, ‘Not unless God tells me to.’ Even though the kids have gone, I’m still here because I like the city. The city is great.
“I’ve never met a couple or anyone here who wasn’t friendly to me. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like me--who wasn’t showing love to me. But it wasn’t just because of me--it was all because of my kids. I’m not talkative. I’m a loner. I stay away from the public. I don’t want to be in the spotlight.
“But this town accepted my kids, and then me. We are black and that was another thing--this is a predominately white town, but I couldn’t believe the praise they had on my children--I knew it was God’s doing.
“Sometimes He has to put you in a position to set you up for what He has planned for your life. That’s what happened to me. Moving here wasn’t really for my job--it was eventually for the kids.
“It was for Rocky and Jasmine. And it was so Tyree could play in the band, and get his scholarship to Alabama, and have the opportunities he has now.”
What an amazing testimony from a proud and grateful mom! I think you can understand why I wanted to share this extra excerpt. May God’s blessings on this family continue as they glorify Him through their gifts and talents, and inspire us all.
See complete story in the Journal Record.
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