WAYCROSS — Mrs. Helen Smith Byrd, 96, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross following a brief illness.
She was born in Pierce County to the late Claude Smith and Grace Carter Smith. She retired from Ruben Brothers Footwear and following retirement she worked with Avon cosmetics. She was also a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Waycross.
In addition to her parents Mrs. Byrd was also preceded in death by her husband, Eugene “Red” Byrd; a son, Gerald Eugene “Gene” Byrd; and five siblings, Claude Earl Smith, Frank Smith, William Billy Smith, Allen Smith, and Juanita Wright.
She is survived by four grandchildren, April Byrd Gadomski (Dan) of Wilmington, N.C., Ashley Byrd (Nancy) of Dallas, Ga., Jeremiah Byrd of Waycross, and Joshua Byrd (Felicity) of Blackshear; six great grandchildren, Lauren Byrd, Jackson Byrd, Cadence Boatwright, Joshua Newman, Samantha Byrd, and Gavin Byrd; a daughter-in-law, Cathy Cox Byrd of Waynesville; a special niece, Brenda Rowell (Dick) of St. Marys; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 17, at the Music Funeral Home Chapel.
Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery.
The family will begin receiving friends at 1 p.m. Monday the funeral home.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com.
Music Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
