Patricia Joan Byrd

Joan C. Byrd, of South Knoxville, died Sunday, February 5, 2017, at Asbury Place, Maryville. She was 85. Born June 19, 1931 in Lynch, KY, Joan was the daughter of Arthur and Erma Counts. Her childhood was spent in Lynch and Abingdon, VA, before the family moved to Oak Ridge at the beginning of World War II. Following graduation from Oak Ridge High School in 1948, Joan enrolled in the Baptist School of Nursing, receiving her RN in 1951. Later that year, she married Ben Byrd, a Knoxville Journal sportswriter, and they had three children. During her nursing career, Joan worked at Acuff Clinic, Baptist Hospital and the University of Tennessee Medical Center. After receiving her certification as a rehabilitation nurse, she became one of the first case managers in the state and established her own business, Rehabilitation Resources. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Ben. She is survived by sons Rick (Cheryl) of Nashville and Emmett (Alice) of Concord, NC; daughter, Kathy (Leonard) of Maryville; four granddaughters, Lauren, Andrea (Ben Ewing), Megan (Jason Proby), and Courtlin; and a step-grandson, Robert Duke. Graveside service will be Tuesday, February 7 at 11:00am at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Knoxville Botanical Gardens, 2743 Wimpole Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37914. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com.