Virginia Anne Sears Byrd

Ginny, as she was known throughout her life, was born in Raleigh on May 31, 1940, to the late Woodrow Harmon Sears and Lillian McGough Sears. She grew up with James (Jim) Theron Byrd, Jr., the one who would become her husband and with whom she built a life for over 44 years. Upon graduating from Broughton High School in 1958, she attended Salem College and graduated from Peace Junior College in 1961. A student of life, she took a variety of courses in Church history and doctrine, servant leadership, and real estate. A lifelong member of The Episcopal Church, she quietly served others through the Daughters of the King and various lay and outreach ministries.

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 27, Ginny chose anew each day to live through her disease with grace and grit, inhabiting the truth that the joy of the Lord was her strength.

In addition to her parents, Ginny was preceded in death by her husband, James Theron Byrd, Jr.; her brother, Woodrow Harmon Sears, Jr.; brother-in-law, Robert Wayne Barfield; and niece, Mary Evelyn Wilson.

Surviving are her daughter, Tracy Elizabeth Byrd Brinkley of Thomasville; son, James Theron Byrd III, of Concord; a sister, Amy Margareta Sears Barfield of Lexington; grandchildren, Grant Thomas Brinkley (Un Ju Kim), Virginia Anne Brinkley Snyder (Bryan Thomas), Jessica Lynne Brinkley Lee (Christopher), James Theron Byrd IV (Paige Record), Davis Sears Byrd (Ellen Coniff); great-grandchildren, Harrison Thomas Brinkley, Weston Kim Brinkley, Amelia Grace Snyder, Henry Grant Snyder; nieces, Lillian Margareta Barfield Koontz (Jerry Joshua), Anna Lane Barfield, Shannon Sale Hunt (William), and Katherine Lewis Sale; and several great-nieces and nephews.

To the Broughton Class of ’58: you have continually shown our family the deep nature of what it is like to consistently and lovingly lay down one’s life for your friends. Such lifelong commitment to one another is a pearl of great price.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 13th at 2:00 pm at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Raleigh, with the Rev. Imogen Rhodenhiser presiding. The family will welcome friends following the service at the church in Shepherd’s Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Church of the Good Shepherd Cheshire House Meals (NCSU Episcopal college campus ministry), to Transitions LifeCare, or a charity of your choice.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, is serving the Byrd family.