Tyinen Maquaba Nelson was born November 21, 1974 to Crystal Lee Nelson and Joseph Verness Nelson, III. Tyinen was the second of their 6 children together. As a child, Tyinen learned how to hunt, fish, and survive in the woods alone. Although he did not complete his high school education, his education did not stop there. He would go on to acquire business acumen in real estate, marketing, and became a self-employed salesman. Tyinen was well versed in philosophy and always had a word of wisdom to bestow upon a listening ear. He was certified and clinically declared a genius in his teen years.

Tyinen's firm upbringing would give rise to the man everyone knew as "Grizz". As a young adult, Tyinen would develop a strong bond with his friends who admired his drive, leadership, genius and entrepreneurship skills. Tyinen was also revered for his tall stature and brute strength. These friends would grow to become "The F" (representing family) thriving in business pursuits, entrepreneurship, and brotherhood.

His mother would most describe Tyinen to be a pioneer man as he would make the most of his life dabbling in cooking, music, travel, and horticulture known to have the best green thumb around. Tyinen loved taking trips across the nation. Being an avid huntsman/woodsman, he often would take prolong camping trips with his friends or by himself. He would even live off of the grid and live off of the land using the survival and tactical skills he developed in his youth.

To his children, Tyinen was loving, patient, kind, and stern. Although he would display tough love, he was very understanding and he did what he could with what he had. No matter what happened he tried his best and whatever he tried to do, he succeeded. He was smart and always knew what to say to his children when they had a question. They could ask him anything and was always open and tried to appeal to their interest. In hindsight, he was never strict and was very good at being a parent. Anything he said would happen, he would make happen. (Paraphrased from the words of Christian W.)

Tyinen is preceded in death by his mother Crystal Nelson; brother, Joseph Verness Nelson, VI; his sister, Rasha Yvonne Nelson; and his son, Na'eem Maquaba Nelson (10 mo.).

He is survived by his children, Christian Woodfin, and Crystal Nelson. His siblings; Aisha Nelson-Pires, Andrea Nelson, Antony Nelson, Kiya Nelson-Vonner (Carlos) and Songhai Nelson. He also leaves behind his father, Joseph Nelson and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. He will be remembered by his bonus brothers, "The F"; Majadi Scruggs, Keith Swygert, and Kenneth Swygert.