Martha Ann Byrd

Martha Ann Jones Byrd, born on November 23, 1928 in Meridian, Miss., passed away peacefully on March 19, 2016, at her home in Tuscaloosa. She was the daughter of the late Eddie Gray and Anna Laura Daniel Jones of Tuscaloosa. Martha Ann grew up in Tuscaloosa and attended Tuscaloosa High School. She went to Judson College where she met her husband, Robert E. Byrd of Franklin, Va. a student at Marion Military Academy on the GI Bill. After their marriage, they transferred to Alabama Polytechnic Institute where he finished his degree and she became a mother and a lifelong Auburn fan. With his job they travelled all over the world and lived in Waterford, Ire. before settling in Vestavia Hills in Birmingham. Martha Ann was an active volunteer in the PTA, attended Shades Mountain Baptist Church, played bridge and bowled at Vestavia lanes for many years. After Bob died in 2001, she moved back to Tuscaloosa where she helped run Mabco, LLC., a family business. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and The Betty Watson Sunday School Class. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Patti Lee Byrd; and her brother. Daniel G. Jones. She is survived by her sister, Judy Jones Adkinson of Tuscaloosa; children, Ginger and Ken McPherson of Marietta, Ga., Robert "Bubba" and Sharon Byrd of Birmingham, and Laura and Bubba Findlay of Tuscaloosa; grandchildren, Allison and Thad Penuel of Flower Mound, Texas, Amanda McPherson and Katherine McPherson of Nashville, Tenn., Gray Byrd and Jessica Byrd of Birmingham, Stephanie and Chad Green of Daphne, Ala. and Beth and Matt Sauceman of Zachary, La.; great-grandchildren, Will, Anna Gray and Andrew Penuel, Isabella and Beau Green and Marshall Sauceman; and also nieces, Karen Agee, Charon Drewry, Fran Rugen and Leigh Wilson. She was a wonderful mother, Nana, great- nana, aunt and friend who will be missed by all who knew her. Thanks go to the wonderful caregivers that have taken such good care of her these past few weeks. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of West Alabama or the American Cancer Society .Pallbearers will be Bubba Byrd, Ken McPherson, Bubba Findlay, Gray Byrd, Thad Penuel, Chad Green, Matt Sauceman and BJ Humphries. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2016, at Memory Chapel Funeral Home, 2200 Skyland Blvd. E., Tuscaloosa. Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Evergreen Cemetery with Memory Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.