Elizabeth Rebecca Evans Byrd

Mrs. Elizabeth Rebecca Evans Byrd, 91, of 458 Kings Grant Court, died Thursday, May 26, 2011, at Brian Center of Statesville. She was born on September 10, 1919, and was the daughter of the late James Thomas Evans and Josephine Driggers Evans. Mrs. Byrd was preceded in death by her husband, James Walter (J.W.) Byrd, Sr., son, James Walter Byrd, Jr., grandson, Tim Gatton, granddaughter, Renea Mathis and four sisters, Kate Waldrop, Pauline Herndon, Louise Dobson and Helen Robertson.

She is survived by three daughters, Eileen (Bille) Isenhour of Statesville, Nita (R.C.) Gatton of Olin, and Patricia (Jimmy) Whittington of Charleston, SC. In addition to her children, Mrs. Byrd is survived ten of twelve grandchildren, Becky Laws of Winston-Salem (Becky was raised in the home), Sherry Jenkins of Charleston, SC, Scott Isenhour of Meeker, CO, Todd Isenhour of Lewisville, NC, Mark Isenhour of San Antonio, TX, Kay Billings of Statesville, Kenny Gatton of Olin, Scott Byrd of Olin, Robert Byrd and Sarah Leatherman of Dallas, NC. Mrs. Byrd is also survived by three sisters, Dorothy Burr of SC, Viola Hopkins of Greensboro and Margurite Breck of SC.

She has 31 great-grandchildren and 30 great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Byrd loved and enjoyed her family and friends and was known as Grandma Byrd to many.

The family will receive family; friends and visitors from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM on Friday, May 27, 2011, at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home of Statesville, NC. The funeral will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, May 28 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where Mrs. Byrd was a member for over 40 years. Bishop Lee Walker, Keith Wilson and Dr. Dan Bellingham will officiate the funeral. She will lie in state for 30 minutes at the church prior to the service and burial will follow at Iredell Memorial Gardens.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.