Bessie Sanders Byrd

Bessie Sanders Byrd, 90, Kansas City, Missouri passed away April 3, 2017. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 2801 Swope Parkway. Burial in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Bessie Sanders was born September 24, 1926 the eighth of thirteen children to Lee and Beatrice Sanders in rural Craig County, Oklahoma. Bessie attended school and completed her education in Craig County. She attended Lincoln High in Claremore, Oklahoma and later obtained her GED in Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 70. She attended First Baptist Church in Dewey, Oklahoma accepted Christ and was baptized at age 11.

Bessie was united in marriage to Eddie Ray Byrd in 1945, and established their first home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They became parents of six children and attended Mt. Rose Baptist Church. Bessie was active in the Sunday School, mission and the Ushers ministry. Bessie and her family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri and united with Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church in 1959. She has been an active member with the Ushers Ministry, Senior Saints and Mother Ministry. She was employed with the garment industries; work with Brad & Puritz, Betty Rose, and West Penn way as a machine operator until her retirement.

Her husband and oldest son preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her precious memory her five children, Rev. Kenneth Byrd and wife (Annie, Jewell), Eddie E. Malik Najeeullah and wife (Hanifah), Reginald Byrd, Althea Carmichael and Timothy Byrd and wife (Deidra); a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sister Barbara Jean Hill and brother Otha Sanders.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.