Deloris Jean Byrd went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 22, 2024, after an extended battle with brain cancer. She was 80 years old. Jean was born to James and Lois Sasser on November 8, 1943 in Atmore, Alabama. She was a graduate of Murphy High School, Class of 1961, and went on to become a bookkeeper for many years, working for several companies including: Delaney Development, CPSI, and eventually retiring from Wintzell’s Oyster House. Jean loved sewing, singing and watching the birds while having breakfast in the sunroom. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed cooking for her family. Her greatest joy was fixing all the grandchildren’s favorites for Sunday lunch and holidays. Jean was a longtime member of Manor Baptist Church where she was an active member of the Adult Choir, WMU, Saints Alive and Jubilee Singers. She also served as the church secretary and bookkeeper for many years.
Jean joined her loving husband of 38 years, Newell Jackson “Jack” Byrd, Jr.; her parents, James and Lois Sasser; and one brother, Larry Sasser.
She is survived by her two children, Darrell (Donna) McDaniel and Pamela (Frank) Spain; step-children, Portia (Marty) Dooley, Buddy Byrd, and Penny Byrd; brother, Wayne (Joan) Sasser; sisters, Ann (Joe) Brown, Beth (Ron) Gunderson, and Debra (Ernest) Broadhead; grandchildren, Kristin Dawson, Steffan McDaniel, Katie (Brandon) Dunnam, Ansley (AJ) Bell, Jordan (Candis) Smith, Dylan Byrd, Bo Boswell, Noah Dooley, Cameron Spain, Jackson Byrd, Maurin Dooley, Lance Spain, and Sierra Byrd; great-grandchildren, Cole Smith, Jack Dawson, Molleigh Dawson, Trinity Smith, Addie Bell, and Benny Dunnam; as well as nieces, nephews and other cherished family and friends.
Visitation for Jean will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Radney Funeral Home on Dauphin Street, with a funeral service in the funeral home chapel at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery on Dauphin Island Parkway.
The family would like to extend their utmost gratitude to her wonderful caregivers from Divine Angels Home and Community Care and Community Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Manor Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society.
