Rosie Layne Merchant Byrd
May 17, 1930 – June 19, 2019
Rosie passed away quietly, at home on June 19, 2019, in peace knowing she would be joining her husband Jimmy in the presence of her Lord. All of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were at her side.
She was a loving wife to Jimmy, and her children James, Donald, and Susan feel blessed by her constant love and guidance. She was a career long
teacher who cared deeply about her students, and she continued teaching her grandchildren and great grandchildren after she retired. She was a
member of the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, a member of the Huntsville Women’s Club, and enjoyed gardening and golf (she even enjoyed a round with Donald at St. Andrews in Scotland).
She was preceded in death by her husband James D. Byrd, and survived by her children James, Jr. and his wife Rebecca and sons William and Matthew, Donald and his wife Kelly, and Susan McDougal, her husband Mark, and son Ricky, his wife Julie and daughters Haley, Alissa, and Skye. She was one of eleven children with whom she had a special bond all of her life.
Visitation will be at the First Baptist Church sanctuary, 600 Governor’s Drive SW, Huntsville, AL from 1:00 until 2:00 on Saturday, June 22, 2019. The service will be held at 2:00 at the sanctuary followed immediately after by a graveside service at Maple Hill Cemetery.
We all love you and will miss you dearly, Mom.
