Patricia Lee Byrd

Little Rock, Arkansas, the city where her journey began. She was 85 years old, though to those who knew

and loved her, she remained timeless.

Born on June 30, 1939, in Little Rock, Patty’s life took her across the world and back again. From

Arkansas to Louisiana, France to Illinois, Ohio to Rhode Island, she made a home wherever she went—

not just in places, but in the hearts of those around her. Her warmth, laughter, and quiet strength turned

acquaintances into lifelong friends and houses into homes filled with love.

She married her devoted husband, Donald Leon Byrd, on November 24, 1961, at Barksdale Air Force

Base in Louisiana. For 62 years, they built a life together, filled with love, hard work, and unwavering

support for one another. When Donald passed in 2023, Patty was already deep into her journey with

Alzheimer’s, but the love they shared remained a part of her, even as words and time slipped away.

Patty was the heart of her family, a mother whose love knew no limits. She was preceded in death by her

infant son, Jon Anthony Shawn Byrd (July 27, 1966 – August 1, 1966), whom she carried in her heart

always.

She is survived by her children and their families: Chantel O’Neill and her husband, Kevin, along with

their children, Ethan, Callan, Rory, and Aidan, of Narragansett, Rhode Island; Jason Byrd and his wife,

Rhonda Gray, and their sons, Jackson and Pierson, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Holly Mills and her husband,

Barry, with their children, Dante and Ruby, of Narragansett, Rhode Island. Her grandchildren were a

source of immense joy, and she cherished the time she spent with each of them.

She shared a special and unbreakable bond with her sisters, Rebecca Elbert and Julianne Brown, both

of Little Rock. More than family, they were lifelong companions, constant sources of love and support for

one another. Their connection was steadfast, a quiet but powerful presence in each other’s lives, built on

shared memories, deep understanding, and a love that needed no words.

She was a woman who found joy in life’s details—the beauty of a well-tended garden, the thrill of

uncovering family history, the satisfaction of a great flea market find. As a dedicated genealogist, she

preserved generations of family stories, ensuring that no name or memory was ever forgotten. Her

research was meticulous, her files enough to fill an archive, but beyond the names and dates, it was her

love of connection that made her work so meaningful.

Patty was the kind of person who made the world feel a little lighter. She had a way of making people feel

comfortable, of offering help before it was even needed, of making sure no one ever felt alone. Whether

as a friend, coworker, or neighbor, she was known for her generosity, her laughter, and the quiet strength

that carried so many through difficult times.

Though she is gone, Patty’s love remains woven into the lives of all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, her

family asks that you honor her memory by planting something beautiful, spending time with loved ones,

or simply offering kindness to a stranger.

A private family service will be held to celebrate her life.