Joyce W. Byrd

Joyce Winona Nix Byrd, 93, of Bay departed this life on Thursday, August 29 at the Flo and Phil Jones
Hospice House, surrounded by her family. She was born on October 29, 1925 in Baldwyn, MS to Bonna
and Lillie (Hankcock) Nix. She was a loving wife to Roy Byrd for 68 years, and a devoted mother to 6
children; Laquida, Buddy, Jean, Jane, David, and Matt. She was a devoted Christian wife and mother, and
worshiped at the Bay Church of Christ. She welcomed many Gospel preachers into her home along with
nieces, nephews, and family friends.

As a child, Joyce longed to be a nurse or a teacher. She said many times that she found the perfect way
to be both; she became the wife of a farmer and the mother to his children. She and Roy married on
February 12, 1943, and they enjoyed 68 years of marriage. Together, they farmed the land, raising
cotton, and gardened, raising vegetables, and loved and raised their 6 children, and did good deeds in
their beloved Bay, AR community. They were faithful members of the Church of Christ in Bay, where
she taught Bible classes to children, and she also worked 17 years for the Bay Public Schools as a
lunchroom clerk, teacher's aide, and sold tons of candy to Bay students. She loved nature, walking in
the woods, reading, yard work, and studying her Bible.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son Roy Ellis Byrd, and four siblings: Ethalene
Addison, Avanell Stone, and twin brothers Floyd and Lloyd (Fat) Nix, and three dear sons-in-law, James
Isaacs, Cherry Terrell, and Tommy Lamberson.

She is survived by five children; Laquida Williamson (Jack) of Batesville; Jean Grisham (Howard) of
Jonesboro; Jane Lamberson of Jonesboro; David Byrd (Tina) of Jonesboro; and Matt Byrd (Tabitha) of
Pocahontas. Also surviving her are three siblings: James Nix (Helen) of Bay; Effie Hathcoat of
Brookland, and Dorothy Webb of Jonesboro, a host of family friends, and many nieces and nephews
who affectionately knew her as their Aunt Shorty. She loved dearly her ten grandchildren, 14 great
grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. Grandsons and great Grandsons will serve as
pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include the men of the Bay Church of Christ, as well as Todd
Callaway, Elvis Poe, Bubba Norvell, Gary Cole, Vernon Morris, Mike Ryan, Daron London, Bill Buck, Chris
Holt, and Wayne Masterson.

Funeral services are Saturday, August 31, at 11 AM at the Bay Church of Christ with visitation from 10
AM until the funeral, under the direction of Emerson's Funeral Home. Burial will be at Jonesboro
Memorial Park. Officiating at these services will be Marvin Rickett and Tony Brewer. In lieu of flowers,
lasting memorials may be made to the Paragould Children's Home 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR
72450.

The Byrd family wishes to express our appreciation to the kind and caring staff members of both the
Craighead County Nursing Home and the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House for the love and help they
extended to our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend. Proverbs Chapter 31, in the
scriptures about virtuous women, states in verse 28; "Her children will arise up and call her BLESSED",
and in verse 30; "A woman that feared the Lord, she shall be praised "!!! The Mother Byrd's labors are
done, her race is run, and her crown is won, yet her good works will live on.