Ms. Eva Mae Byrd
On Friday, August 14, 2015, “Ms. Evia” as her dad called her, acknowledged God’s ways and accepted his providence will to rest in his eternal arms. The passing of our love one is the will of God and there is a human tie that has been broken, which bleeds the heart in agony and pain. We are consoled in the words of Jesus who said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” She was a reverent woman who loved the Lord, loved her family with gentle spirits, and instilled in her family and others to follow her examples.
Eva Mae Kyser Byrd was born January 11, 1943 to the late Augustus and Larce (Maye) Kyser in Conecuh County in the Owassa community. She was the second of eight children, two of whom preceded her in death (Hazel and Louise). She attended Conecuh County Training School and graduated in 1960. She was united in holy matrimony to Mr. Wendell Byrd on June 1, 1963. To this union, four children were born. Two of whom preceded her in death (Harold Sherlock Byrd and Hazel Marie Byrd).
She joined Second Mount Zion Baptist Church at an early age and served faithfully. While attending Second Mount Zion, she served in the following capacities: Youth Sunday School Teacher, President of the Usher Board, former Matron President, Deaconess, and served on many other committees.
Eva worked for the Conecuh County School Board as a cafeteria worker and manager for 28 years. After retirement, she turned her focus to the community and became a founding member of the SCADCO Food Bank Program, which distributed food to the underserved.
Eva spent her leisure time quilting, cooking, and providing spiritual guidance to those who needed encouragement. She was always full of wisdom, knowledge, and because of her laughter, compassion and kind heart, she was a joy to be around.
She leaves to cherish her memory, a devoted husband, Wendell; a caring daughter Caroll (Lavar) Lymon, Evergreen, AL; a treasured son, Julian, Chicago, IL; four sisters, Virtira (Robert) Gandy, Georgiana, AL; Leona Moore, Florence, AL; Daisy Kyser, Huntsville, AL and Armelia (Stanley) Oliver, Selma, AL; one brother, Oscar (Melanie) Kyser, Atlanta, GA; two grandchildren, Jalisa Byrd and Leemon Lewis III, Birmingham, AL; two aunts; three sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; one daughter-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.