Stephanie Ann Silvius Byron

Stephanie Ann Silvius Byron, born on July 26, 1963, in Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on November 21, 2025, at the age of 62. She was a resident of Chiefland, Florida. Stephanie will always be remembered for her warm smile, joyful spirit, and kind heart.

Stephanie graduated from high school in 1981 and went on to attend Wilma Boyd Career Schools. She began her career working for Marriott Corporation in Gaithersburg, Maryland, before relocating to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. From 1984 to 2001, she was employed with Ingram Book Company, rising through the company and concluding her tenure as Operations Manager.

Dedicated to continuing her education, Stephanie graduated with honors from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2003 and later earned her Bachelor’s degree in 2005. From 2003 to 2009, she worked at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in Richmond, serving with compassion and strength. After moving to Florida in 2009, she continued her career as a Critical Care Nurse at Monroe Medical Center until 2016.

In 2016 she moved to Maryland, where she joined St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore as a Clinical Care Coordinator Team Leader. She remained there until 2023, deeply respected by her colleagues and the families she served. At every hospital, she was affectionately nicknamed “Mama” because of her caring, protective, and always-helpful demeanor, a reflection of the love she showed to everyone around her.

Stephanie lived a full, vibrant life. She volunteered with the VFW, Moose, and American Legion, always finding ways to give back. At Christmas time, she made sure children in need were provided with clothes and toys. She enjoyed playing pool at the Moose, cooking for potluck dinners, and dancing with friends. She loved to ride motorcycles, took photography classes, and had a deep love for church and education.

She loved attending concerts, especially Travis Tritt, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Bob Seger, and was an avid traveler, taking 14 cruises and exploring the world. She especially treasured her Viking Cruise along the Rhine River. Stephanie was a fan of Chicago Bears football and also enjoyed cheering on the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles. She loved cars, particularly her Chevelle and her 1989 Caprice. She was known as “the Chicken Lady,” raising 30 beloved chickens, and enjoyed growing herbs, including a rosemary plant that reached six feet tall. She also rescued and cared for many dogs throughout her life.

A remarkable cook, Stephanie loved entertaining and preparing Italian dinners. Her specialties included chicken parmesan, cowboy chili, chicken paprika, and chicken enchiladas. And of all her talents, friends and family would agree, she made the best margaritas.

Stephanie and Robert Joseph Byron Jr. were married in Hawaii on August 1, 1999, and renewed their vows every five years. They originally met in 1994.

Stephanie was the daughter of Shirley Silvius Dampman and the late Jacob Franklin Silvius Jr., who passed away in 1994. After her father’s death, her mother later married Gene Dampman, Stephanie’s stepfather, who preceded her in death in 2021. She is survived by her siblings, Duane E. Silvius (and his late wife, Stefanie) and Jacqueline I. Silvius Burns and her husband, Fred. Stephanie was the loving mother of Daniel J.F. Martin and Dylan D.M. Martin, and the proud grandmother of Jude Martin, Jason Martin, and Lela Belle Martin; loving aunt of Chelsea Burns and Joshua and Brandon Silvius. She was also the niece of George and Charlotte Smith, Jane White, the late Lola Shoemaker, Nevada Justice, Ruth Redmond, Carrie Ecker and her husband, Samuel, and Calvin Smith. In addition to her parents and stepfather, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, George and Gladys Smith.

Stephanie’s joyful personality, giving heart, and love for family, animals, and life itself will forever remain cherished by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.