Mary Jewel Beibers Byrd, age 86, departed this earthly life and entered into her eternal rest on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Diversicare Health and Rehabilitation in Ripley, Mississippi.
Funeral services honoring and celebrating Mrs. Jewel’s life will be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, June 7, 2026, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home with Bro. Mike Johnson officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 PM until the time of service on Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Clear Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, with no graveside service.
Born on June 29, 1939, in Benton County, Mississippi, Mrs. Jewel was the beloved daughter of the late William Claude and Ada Lee Weatherly Beibers. A hardworking woman from an early age, she began working in the cotton fields at just seven years old. Throughout her life, she held many occupations, including waitressing, working in the Sears Billing Department, serving as a telephone operator in Memphis, and even spending a brief time employed at Yellowstone National Park. However, the role for which she will be most fondly remembered was her nearly forty-year career as a Special Education teacher with the Hardeman County Public School System. Through her dedication, patience, and compassionate heart, she touched the lives of countless students and families before retiring.
A Christian and believer in the Baptist faith, Mrs. Jewel enjoyed visiting and worshipping with many different congregations throughout the years, but was most recently affiliated with North Ripley Baptist Church. She was active in numerous organizations and community groups, including several teacher associations, the local American Legion Auxiliary, the Senior Citizens of Ripley, various PTO organizations, and especially the Golden Seniors of Ripley, a cherished group of friends with whom she enjoyed traveling and making lasting memories.
Mrs. Jewel found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved crocheting, working puzzles, gardening, and tending to her flowers. She was especially known for her love of cooking and hospitality. Nothing brought her more happiness than gathering friends and family around her table, sharing a delicious meal, and enjoying the fellowship of those she loved.
Those left to cherish her precious memory include her loving daughter, Nancy K. Hancock and her friend, Scott; her pride and joy, Thomas Clint Knudsen; a special step-great-grandson, Lucas Lewis; a beloved great-great-nephew, Toby Frazier; her brother, William Vernon Beibers (Joyce); and her sisters-in-law, Betty Beibers, Norma Childers Smalley, Connie Skelton, Sarah Hicks (Benny), Becky Robuck, Virginia Byrd, and Kathy Byrd.
Her memory will also continue to be treasured by a host of loving nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, step-nieces and nephews, step-great-nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and many dear friends whose lives were blessed by knowing her.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Allen Byrd; her parents, Ada Lee Weatherly Beibers and William Claude Beibers; her sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Archie Groves; and her brother, Edward “Ed” Coleman Beibers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the local American Legion or that Bibles be purchased through the Gideons International in honor and memory of Mrs. Jewel.
Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Mrs. Jewel’s family.
