Obituary for Mary Fae "Fae" Byrd (Smith)
Mary Fae (Smith) Byrd, age 96 of Martinsburg, WV went to be with her Lord on June 22, 2022 at Stonerise Martinsburg.
Born March 3, 1926 at Sugar Grove, WV (Pendleton Co.), she was the eldest daughter of the late Arlie Cameron and Mary Elzibeth Smith.
She graduated from Franklin High School (Pendleton Co.) as Valedictorian of her class in 1944. In 1947, she graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University), having completed her B.S. Degree in Secondary Education in 3 years. While she was at Madison she was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau (Social Sorority) and Kappa Delta Phi (Honor Society), and President of Student Government for one semester.
Having been active in 4H all her life, she was awarded the honor of being a 4H All Stars and a trip to national 4H Congress in Chicago in 1946.
On July 25, 1948 Mary Fae was married to Walter Elwood Byrd, who died November 18, 2015.
Besides her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers: 1st Lt. Paul Smith (Army Air Force, WWII, and David Smith, Martinsburg, and one sister: Madaline Shanholtz of Sugar Grove. She is survived by one brother: Edward Smith, Staunton, VA, one sister: Linda Dorsey, Clarksburg, WV, one daughter: Kara Jyll Byrd Hayes, and husband Jim of Purcellville, VA and one son: Walter Eric Byrd and wife, Linda, of Dickerson, MD, three grandchildren: Jason, John, and Jennifer and five great-grandchildren: Jordan, Mackenzie, Brenna, Cameron, and Brant.
She was an active member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for more than 70 years, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, a former choir member, and served wherever she was needed.
She was a former school teacher, having taught in Pendleton Co. and Berkeley Co. for 20 years, mostly teaching her beloved 1st graders at Burke Street School, Martinsburg.
Fae (as she was known by her friends), was an accomplished seamstress and excelled in most all needle crafts. She enjoyed sharing her work with her family and friends.
Burial will be private in Rosedale Cemetery for family only.
A memorial service will be held at St Luke’s United Methodist Church, Saturday, July 2, 2022 at 11:00AM, Pastor Mike Cantley Officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Burke Street School, 422 W. Burke St, Martinsburg, WV 25401 or St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 700 New York Ave, Martinsburg, WV 25401.
Born March 3, 1926 at Sugar Grove, WV (Pendleton Co.), she was the eldest daughter of the late Arlie Cameron and Mary Elzibeth Smith.
She graduated from Franklin High School (Pendleton Co.) as Valedictorian of her class in 1944. In 1947, she graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University), having completed her B.S. Degree in Secondary Education in 3 years. While she was at Madison she was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau (Social Sorority) and Kappa Delta Phi (Honor Society), and President of Student Government for one semester.
Having been active in 4H all her life, she was awarded the honor of being a 4H All Stars and a trip to national 4H Congress in Chicago in 1946.
On July 25, 1948 Mary Fae was married to Walter Elwood Byrd, who died November 18, 2015.
Besides her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers: 1st Lt. Paul Smith (Army Air Force, WWII, and David Smith, Martinsburg, and one sister: Madaline Shanholtz of Sugar Grove. She is survived by one brother: Edward Smith, Staunton, VA, one sister: Linda Dorsey, Clarksburg, WV, one daughter: Kara Jyll Byrd Hayes, and husband Jim of Purcellville, VA and one son: Walter Eric Byrd and wife, Linda, of Dickerson, MD, three grandchildren: Jason, John, and Jennifer and five great-grandchildren: Jordan, Mackenzie, Brenna, Cameron, and Brant.
She was an active member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for more than 70 years, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, a former choir member, and served wherever she was needed.
She was a former school teacher, having taught in Pendleton Co. and Berkeley Co. for 20 years, mostly teaching her beloved 1st graders at Burke Street School, Martinsburg.
Fae (as she was known by her friends), was an accomplished seamstress and excelled in most all needle crafts. She enjoyed sharing her work with her family and friends.
Burial will be private in Rosedale Cemetery for family only.
A memorial service will be held at St Luke’s United Methodist Church, Saturday, July 2, 2022 at 11:00AM, Pastor Mike Cantley Officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Burke Street School, 422 W. Burke St, Martinsburg, WV 25401 or St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 700 New York Ave, Martinsburg, WV 25401.