Elsie S. Byrd

Elsie Sapico Byrd was born on December 27, 1945 in Nasugbu Batangas, Philippines to Vivencio and Clara Sapico in very humble beginnings. She migrated to the United States in the 1970s with nothing but her degree and a dream to pursue a better life. After a short time living with her sister, Nellie, in Gresham, Oregon, Elsie moved to Virginia to take her first job. In a chance encounter she met Mack Byrd who would later become her husband. The two were married in Virginia and began a life together in Durham, NC where they raised their children, Lena and John, and worked steadfast to put them through college.

It was during those years that Elsie forged a career in corporate America, working as a chemical engineer until she retired from her last company in Durham, NC. In her retirement, she served as a volunteer for many years with different outreach organizations helping others who were less fortunate and in need. Elsie was good with her hands and especially enjoyed building homes with Habitat for Humanity, one of her favorite organizations. Coming from a large family, Elsie also enjoyed traveling to spend time with relatives, especially at family reunions. A woman of strong will, she was always determined to achieve what she set her mind to.

About nine years after becoming a widow, Elsie moved to Georgia in 2017 to be closer to family. While in Georgia she was surrounded by many people who cared for her in ways she never knew was possible. The overwhelming amount of love and attention she received was truly the unconditional love of Christ in human form via her daughter, son-in-law, members from their church, caretakers, friends, associates, and a host of other believing men and women who took a special liking to “Ms. Elsie”. These men and women served Elsie so faithfully, she would often call many of them “my angels”.

In the final months of her life Elsie was cared for by a small team of Godly women, one of whom led her into a renewed and fully surrendered relationship with Christ and later testified of a notable and radiant transformation in her disposition and countenance. Subsequently, it was reported that during this time Elsie enjoyed Tuesday Bible Studies, watching sermons on YouTube and set apart times of prayer.

Elsie passed peacefully from this life on November 25, 2024 in Riverdale, GA and entered the presence of The Lord in eternal glory.

She was preceded in death by parents, Vivencio and Clara Sapico; husband, Mack Byrd; brothers, David and Napoleon; and sisters, Esther, Araceli and Edna. She is survived by daughter, Lena Mitchell married to Philip Mitchell; son, John Byrd married to Mathilde Byrd; grandchildren, Malachi, Israel, Abigail and Josiah Mitchell; sisters, Nellie Garabato and Luz Bonnin; brother, Orestes Sapico; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation of family and friends will be held for Elsie on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Horis A. Ward - Fairview Chapel | 376 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281.