She was born on March 20, 1934 in Blytheville, Arkansas to the late John R. Steadman and Hazel Steadman. Virginia attended Selmer High School in Selmer, TN. After graduating High School, she attended Lambuth College.
She united in marriage to Jesse Byrum in 1956 and they were married 65 years until his passing. She started her teaching career in Maury County where she taught fourth grade for five years. They moved to Jackson and she taught fourth and fifth grade. She got her Master's Degree at Memphis State in Special Education. She taught for 50 years.
Virginia is best known for her love of teaching, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and her love for her dogs.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Byrum; her daughter, Paula Young; granddaughter, Stephanie Arwood; and two sisters, Mary Emma Floyd and Margie Murdaugh.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol Moore (Robert); her son, John Byrum (Lou Ann); six grandchildren, Jessica Arwood (Donnie Vales), John Robert Moore (Emily), Jennifer Wilkerson (Chris), Sarah Moore, Rachel Reedy (Brad), and Reece Byrum; and eleven great grandchildren, Baker Rhodes, Elizabeth Vales, Peyton Moore, Clayton Vales, Keeton Vales, Austin Wilkerson, Harper Wilkerson, Gray Reedy, Claire Reedy, and Paige Reedy; and her beloved little dog, Baby Blue.
The family wishes to give a special thanks to three ladies that took such good care of Virginia: Sylvia Bond, Coronda Jones, and Burnett Brooks.
A service to celebrate the life of Virginia Steadman Byrum will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 1:00 pm at the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons with burial following in Ridgecrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the North Chapel beginning at 11 a.m., two hours prior to the service.
Active pallbearers to serve will be John Robert Moore, Baker Rhodes, Reece Byrum, Donnie Vales, Chris Wilkerson, and Brad Reedy.
