Evelyn A. Byrd

Byrd, Evelyn A. 86, beloved mother, grandmother, friend to many, and lifelong resident of Albuquerque, NM, passed away on July 31, 2012. Mrs. Byrd was born on January 29, 1926 to Walter and Mabel (Primo) Ellis of Albuquerque. She attended Old Town Elementary School through 8th grade, (skipping 2nd grade), and made straight A��?�s from Washington Junior High on through Albuquerque High School. She attended the University of New Mexico, completing her Bachelor��?�s Degree in three years. While attending UNM she was a member of honor society and several other service organizations, including: Spurs and Mortar Board (secretary); Town Club Sorority (President); American Women��?�s Society (President); PI LAMBDA THETA; Independent Counsel; and Student Senate. She also received a membership in "Who��?�s Who in American Colleges and Universities. She shared sixty wonderful years with the love of her life, J.W. Byrd, who she married on January 15, 1947. Upon graduating from UNM in 1946 from the College of Education, she fulfilled her longtime dream of becoming a teacher and was offered a position teaching 2nd grade in the old North Fourth Street School. After that, she taught at five other schools in Albuquerque and for sixteen different principals. She retired in 1986 after forty years, having influenced and inspired over 1,000 young minds. She began each day in her classroom with music, sharing, and a morning message presented in a poem she��?�d written. Words and music were her passion. During her teaching career and into retirement, Evelyn enjoyed putting on school-wide music programs. In forty years, she missed only one year directing a music program. She usually wrote the scripts for her musicals in rhyming poetry, making it easier for children to memorize. Evelyn was also very active in the ballooning community for over thirty years and was known as Social Ambassador. She always included newcomers and made them feel welcome. She was a co-recipient of the "Sid Cutter Award in 2001, sharing the honor with her best friend Anne Dickey. Other hobbies included playing piano and organ, gardening, working crossword puzzles, and the delightful "career of grand mothering - her greatest love of all. Mrs. Byrd was preceded in death by her parents, her husband J.W. Byrd, her sister Wanda Staehlin and her niece, Janet Dwyer. She will be remembered forever by her son Jim Byrd and his wife Teresa, her daughter Niki Byrd-Dickey and her husband Frank, all of Albuquerque; grandchildren Amelia-Ann, Jamie, David, Matt, Thomas and Chandler; eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, former students and friends. Services will be held on Friday, August 3, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at First United Methodist Church at 4th St. and Lead SW with Reverend David Okerberg presiding, assisted by Pastor John McClean. Pallbearers are David Gallegos, Thomas Gallegos, Daniel Valles, Matthew Gallegos, Chandler Kensington and Robert Pacheco. Internment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services
3113 Carlisle Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505-884-1188