Arlessie T. Byrd

Mrs. ARLESSIE T. Byrd passed peacefully to the bosom of God (to a place free from sickness, sorrow, pain and death) at St. Vincent Hospital, Thursday, December 24, 2015 at 6:15 a.m. She was born on December 10, 1919 in Homer, Louisiana and was the seventh child born to the late Reverend and Mrs. Walter Todd Woodfork. Arlessie came from a Christian home and was taught at an early age that Christ is the head of her life and this faith in Christ was apparent throughout her lifelong journey . She received her primary education from Webster Parish School in Minden Louisiana. Arlessie later moved to Dayton, Ohio were she resided with her other siblings. Later she was united in marriage to Jason C. Byrd and was married for over 30 years. Later they moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Arlesssie’s work experience included a housekeeping attendant at Fosters Hotel for 10 years. She later became self-employed in that capacity and worked for various individual families. Those families saw her work ethic so superb and outstanding that they visited her home for special occasions years after her retirement. Arlessie has been a faithful member of Cathedral of Praise COGIC for over 30 years where she has served as a member of the Mother’s Board and a past member of the choir. She was blessed with a ministry of love Everyone who truly knew her is aware of this long standing motto “cleanliness is next to Godliness”. Arlessie had a way of incorporating her everyday life with her strong faith in God. Arlessie embodied an awesome spirit of a dedicated child of God blessing everyone she encountered be it family, community and church. Her testament to her faith is that her children cannot recall her ever getting anger and not making amends with that person before nightfall. Arlessie T. Byrd, was preceded in death by her loving parents, Rev. Walter Woodfork and Lula Mae (Norton) Woodfork; her husband of 37 years Jason C. Byrd; and daughter, Jessie Ann Bullock; step-son, Cecil Byrd; brothers Horace Sr.; (Naomi), Clemmie (Bertha), John S (Arnada) Isaac Dr. (Annie Reen) and Felton; her sisters Tressie L. Webb (Abner) Jessie Mae Wesley (Lura), Annie N. Sims (John) and Jewell Lee Woodfork. Arlessie leaves to cherish her memory, Elder Herbert Scott, Sr. (Minnie) and daughters: Brenda Diane Webster, Rita J. Wise, Arlessa D. Brown (Bennie). Other close extended family members include: Gary Byrd, Fred (Doris) Byrd, Arlene Cantrell and Marva Stargell and their children and grandchildren.