Background
Tynia Thomassie was born on September 1, 1959, in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. She is the daughter of Clarence Ray Thomassie and Mireya Ponce. Thomassie spent most of her childhood with her Cajun French Grampa Clarence, Irish Gramma Netta, and Aunt Shirley, all positive influences who created what she called “her haven and heaven.”