MARY LEE REYNOLDS BYRD was born on July 11, 1950, in Eutaw, Alabama, to the late Phillip and Ethel Reynolds. She was gracefully reared by her parents and her late grandmother, Anna (Babe) Spencer Rushing. She transitioned to her eternal home on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2024 at her home surrounded by a loving family and friends.
Mary was educated in the Greene County School System where she graduated from Carver High School. She relocated to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where she worked in the hotel industry.
Mary accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and received the gift of the Holy Ghost while attending Greater Christ Temple Church, under the pastoral leadership of Bishop Luke Edwards, Sr. While attending Christ Temple, Mary met and later married the late Elder Solomon Byrd and to that union, was born four children.
Mary moved back to Eutaw, AL., in 1970, where she became employed as a seamstress at the Levi Strauss & Company for more than 20 years. She was a devoted wife and mother and truly exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman and her children, both natural and spiritual, “rise up and call her blessed.” She served faithfully as First Lady and Teacher in the Women’s Sunday School Department under the pastoral leadership of her husband at Christ Temple Church in Gordo, AL, for more than 20 years.
In 2001, Mary relocated to Huntsville, AL., to live near her daughters and grandchildren. She became employed with Dora Lee Draper Sewing Center as a seamstress. She later was employed with Ability Plus, Incorporated in their Residential Services Program. Mary was a devoted caregiver to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. She retired in 2016.
Mary joined Eagles Nest Ministries, Incorporated, under the pastoral leadership of Bishop Daniel J. Richardson where she served in the Mother’s Ministry.
Mary was preceded in death by three brothers: Aldridge Reynolds, Calvin Reynolds, and John Reynolds; four sisters: Anna Doree Patton, Annette Stevens, Ethel Cox, and Louise Odum.
She leaves to cherish her memories: four children; Gregory Leon Byrd of Dallas, TX; Debra Lynette Byrd, Ph.D. Of Meridianville, AL; Monica Renee Byrd of Hazel Green, AL; and Derrick DeWayne Byrd of Meridianville, AL. Two devoted granddaughters: Christiana Janae Byrd and Jasmine Renee Slaughter. Four siblings: (brothers) Jimmy (Connie) Reynolds of Fresno, CA and Moses Reynolds of Toledo, OH; (sisters) Ruth Hale of Akron, OH; and Jeanette Wilder of Akron, OH; three devoted nieces, Vicky Byrd of Florence, AL., (who was a caregiver and support to her children until her death), Leslie (LeBron) Reynolds of Cleveland, OH., and Willie Dean (Ronald) Dewberry of Woodmere, OH, and a special and devoted son-in-love, Bryan Hamilton, who remain a constant in her life both in the hospital and her home, and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
The funeral service for Mrs. Mary Lee Byrd will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 31, 2024 at the Eagle’s Nest Ministries Inc. (6831 Hollow Road, Huntsville, AL 35810) with Bishop Daniel J. Richardson officiating. Interment will be in the Meadowlawn Garden of Peace. Mrs. Byrd will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
The Byrd family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, May 30, 2024 at the Royal Chapel of Memories.
Public viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Thursday, May 30, 2024 and 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 31, 2024 at the Royal Funeral Home.
