V. Faye Byrd

V. Faye Byrd peacefully left Shawnee, Kansas, to meet her friend, Jesus, face to face on Saturday, July 27th, 2013.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years (minus 1 day), Ray E. Byrd, as well as two children, Jerry Byrd and Connie Perrigo and two grandchildren, Cynthia French and Jamison Byrd. She is survived by her daughters, P. Elaine Saner (Jim), Rosemary Bengtson (Paul), Karen Byrd, and C. Dian French. She was the proud matriarch of a large family consisting of 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Faye was born on April 27th, 1926, in Bokoshe, Oklahoma - the 9th of 13 children. She is also survived by 3 sisters, Ruby Urban, Betty Johnson, and Jacqueline Carson.

She and Ray raised their family in the Shawnee area before moving to West Memphis, Arkansas, in 1978. Faye moved back to Johnson County in 1994.

They opened their home to many less fortunate people over the years and willingly shared God's provision, love and grace with them. She loved kids (hers and everyone else's). She was involved in the bus ministry at Shawnee Church of the Nazarene and West Memphis Church of the Nazarene for many years and she loved serving snacks at Vacation Bible School.

Although, Faye had to quit school in the 6th grade to help at home, she valued education enough that she went back to school and got her high school diploma at age 66. She was a gifted poet and song writer who taught herself to play the guitar as a teenager. She loved Christian Music, Southern Gospel and Country.

She was a waitress at several area restaurants for 30 years. She worked at Inland Cold Storage, Ted Manufacturing, National Car Rental, Schneider Trucking and Sears. She left the workforce at age 80.

Most of all, she loved her Lord and Savior. She loved to share His message of salvation with anyone she met. She joyfully anticipated spending eternity in His presence.

Visitation will be at 10:00-11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 31, 2013, followed immediately by the Celebration of Christian Life service at Central Church of the Nazarene, 12600 W. 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Shawnee, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Central Church of the Nazarene (VBS fund)

12600 W. 87th Street Parkway

Lenexa, Kansas 66215

or

Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care

10100 W. 87th Street

Overland Park, Kansas 66212