Sue Frances Byars passed away on January 22, 2016 at ECM Hospital at the age of 80. Sue Frances was born on October 6, 1935, in Walker County Alabama to John Francis Wakefield and Annie Sue Propst Wakefield. She lived in Russellville for 78 years and was a member of First Baptist Church, Russellville.
Sue Frances was preceded in death by her parents and brother, George Wakefield.
Sue Frances is survived by her husband, Jimmy Byars and their two children, Lesley Byars and Stratt Byars III and daughter-in-law Connie Byars; grandchildren Alissa Alpert, Blair Boggan, Stratt Byars IV, Anna Byars and Conner Byars, sister-in-law, Mary Emma Wakefield and nephew and niece, Turner Wakefield and Emme O’Neill, and many beloved cousins, friends and former students.
Sue Frances graduated from Russellville High School and the University of Alabama and began her teaching career at Coffee High School in Florence. She retired from teaching at the Russellville school system in 1997. For many years she taught private piano lessons in her home.
Pallbearers are Stratt Byars IV, Conner Byars, Turner Wakefield, John Wakefield, Jim Langcuster, John Langcuster, Ed Forman, Wages Forman, Brian Pace, Brent Pace, Jim Grissom and Olive Pilgrim.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Sunday Evening, January 24 at Pinkard Funeral Home, Russellville. The funeral will be held at First Baptist Church in Russellville on Monday, January 25, 2016 at 12 noon with Richard Parker and Stratt Byars IV officiating. The body will lie-in-state at First Baptist Church from 11 a.m.-12. Burial will be in Tharptown Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Russellville, Alabama or a charity of your choice.
