Jeanne Byrd

Obituary of Jeanne Byrd Jeanne Ann Byrd crossed the finish-line of life's race on earth and joined her husband of 52 years, Ralph E. Byrd, Sr. in heaven, on June 27, 2015. If she could speak to you now, she would say that life on earth is but a vapor compared to the eternal glory of heaven. She would also ask you to please receive Jesus the Son of God as your Savior insuring your entry into heaven where we will be made whole, have no more tears and we'll never be separated again. Jeanne is a descendent of the Mary Woods Reagle family of Michigan. Her children and their spouses are son Ralph and wife Judy Byrd, son Ronald and wife Barbara Byrd, daughter Ruth Ann Byrd-Key and husband Jim Key, and daughter Melody and husband Charlie Capehart. In addition surviving Jeanne are many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Also surviving Jeanne is her sister Ada and husband Eugene Manwarren, brother Arthur and wife Lou Alice Clayman, and brother Darrell James (Bucky) Clayman. Jeanne was predeceased by sister Karolyn (Billie) Lee Barraclough. Family and friends are invited to: A viewing on Wed. July 1, 2015, 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at Beyer's Funeral Home - 1123 W. Main Street Leesburg, FL 34748 A funeral on Thur. July 2, 2015, beginning 11:00am, at Ferndale Baptist Church - 15050 CR 561A Ferndale, FL 34729 Flowers are welcome, or in lieu of, please make a donation to Ferndale Baptist Church. Childhood and working years... Jeanne was born in Marshall, Michigan, on January 31, 1935. Her family moved to Orlo Vista, FL, when she was five years old. She grew up there, attended school and married, Ralph E. Byrd, Sr. In 1953, they moved to Plymouth, FL, where their four children were born and husband Ralph worked at Minute Maid. They attended Plymouth Baptist Church. In 1965, they moved to Leesburg, FL, where husband Ralph worked for Gulf Life Insurance and Jeanne was a full-time homemaker. They attended West Side Baptist Church and later on, First Baptist Church of Leesburg. Jeanne was a Christian. Her faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as her Savior and Lord, was unwavering and sustaining through every triumph and trial of life. She did not "talk faith" near as much as she "walked faith" in kindness of heart reaching out to others with whom she'd gladly share whatever she had when she saw a need. Jeanne's greatest legacy is undoubtedly her humble, unconditional love of others. Jeanne was gracious, a faithful wife, a consummate homemaker, a solid rock of goodness, cleanliness and motherhood - just the kind of great American woman that our country was built upon in the middle of the twentieth century. She excelled at preparing fine meals, especially at holiday time. After Jeanne's youngest child entered high school, she loved cooking so much that she made it her career working in public school lunch rooms for 25 years until retiring at age 62. Retirement and declining years... Jeanne and her husband had always maintained close family ties with their brothers and sisters regularly visiting each others homes. This did not change when they retired. Several brothers and sisters bought cabins in the Great Smoky Mountains, so, Jeanne and Ralph bought one too. There they attended Cold Springs Baptist Church in Alarka, NC. Their retirement years together were very happy, but did not last long. Due to an ATV accident, Ralph died in 2004. Jeanne began a long period of grieving and loneliness. In June 2006, a fire damaged her old home. After that, she moved to live with son Ralph and wife Judy just around the corner at "Glory Oaks". There, Jeanne bloomed again. She wasn't lonely anymore! She and daughter-in-law Judy did everything together: cooking, shopping, exercising, grandkid visits, attending church and weekly Precept Bible Study class. Jeanne also loved being outdoors with son Ralph. They planted a garden, raised chickens and walked nature trails exploring the beautiful woods and swamps of Sunnyside. Day's end found Jeanne, Judy and Ralph in rocking chairs on the back porch. Jeanne was peaceful there taking in the beauty of God's creation and spotting wildlife. Her favorite was a bright red cardinal. On that back porch is where Jeanne also shared her precious memories. Some were happy, some sad and some never heard before. In 2009, Jeanne began showing slight signs of dementia. Her doctor said she still had some good years ahead. Jeanne became more determined than ever to enjoy life to the fullest until finally, she entered a nursing home in late 2013. There, son Ralph visited her daily and managed her care. He fed her breakfast, read to her and pushed her outdoors to view God's creation, only now from a wheelchair. In June 2015, Jeanne declined sharply and was moved to Cornerstone Hospice where angels came and carried her to heaven.

Jeanne Byrd

January 31, 1935 - June 27, 2015