Martha Jo Wafer-Byers

A resident of Baton Rouge and a native of Monroe, Jo passed away Saturday, June 13, 2009 at Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge at age 46 after a courageous six-year battle with breast cancer. She was an investigative auditor with the Louisiana State Legislative Auditor's Office. Jo was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church and a 1980 graduate of Baton Rouge Magnet High School. After high school, she graduated with honors from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a degree in aviation management and served her internship in that field in Santa Maria, Calif. While there, she was named as an executive to the American Association of Airport Executives. Afterwards she was employed with Intercontinental Airport in Houston where she served in many operation positions. Later she was employed by the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority in Washington, D.C. where she was an operations officer stationed at Ronald Reagan National Airport. She was a member of the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives. In October 2004, after 17 years in the aviation industry she, along with her husband, retired to Baton Rouge. In 2005, Jo co-founded Write Now Communications LLC and served as president. Also during this time she entered LSU and obtained a master's degree in public administration. She is survived by her husband, David J. Byers; stepson, James David Byers; father, Tom Wafer; mother, Ruth Dusan; sister, Patricia Wafer; and brother, Douglas Wafer and his wife, Amy. Visiting at Broadmoor Baptist Church, 9755 Goodwood Blvd., on Thursday, June 18, from 5 p.m. until memorial services at 6 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Dr. Jarrett Banks and the Rev. Dr. John Goodwin. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Gift Management Services, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244.