Sandra Faye Mahaffey

She died peacefully at home of Alzheimer’s/Dementia into the loving arms of Jesus, Saturday, August 24, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Richard Edgar Byrd, Marshall “Sugarman” Byrd, William Morris Byrd, John Robert Byrd, Barbara Josephine Byrd Bishop, Mildred Byrd Miller, and Samuel T. Byrd. 

Life’s journey began when she was born on May 31st, 1942, in Florence, MS (Rankin County), the 7th child of ten children to Modena Pearl Mullican Byrd and John Morris Byrd. A lifelong resident of Florence, MS, Faye grew up in a very large loving family on the old home place of her beloved grandparents, L. Orlando and Susan Ella Burns Mullican. From a young age she was saved and learned about God and Jesus. After graduating Florence High School, she married Grady Mahaffey. They started a family with the birth of their son, Eugene and daughter, Dena. 

In 1978, she started a career of 22 years at GNB battery plant in Florence performing various jobs picking up batteries and placing them on conveyor belts. Driving a forklift unloading and loading pallets of batteries on an 18-wheeler trailer in extreme heat and cold. In the year 2000, she retired and built her dream cabin on the Pearl River in Monticello, MS. This is where she found such solace in being close to nature on her 35 ft long screened in front porch with a swinging rope bed; her beloved cat, Mr. Kitty; her books and her Hummingbird and bird feeders. 

For several years (2006-2009) she worked at Duncan Chevron in the deli where she made many friends, and they loved her. She never met a stranger and loved everyone as an equal. In 2011, she survived throat cancer and was a patient at “The Hope House of Hospitality “in Jackson, MS. She was very thankful for the organization, especially the compassionate care by the staff during her stay for cancer treatments.  

She had a love of learning, many interest and hobbies including photography, music, history, genealogy, visiting graveyards, and traveling with her niece, Lisa. She was an avid reader, especially, authors like Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey and old cookbooks. She loved canning, cooking, yard work, letter writing and thrift shopping. Faye was very self-sufficient, proud of her heritage, and definitely not afraid to express her thoughts and opinions. 

She is survived by her caring husband, Grady Mahaffey, son, Eugene Mahaffey and wife Beth, daughter, Dena Buckley and husband, Buddy. Grandchildren, Brandy Mahaffey Fyke and husband Chandler; Chesnee MaHaffey and Taylor McGowan. Great Grandchildren; Parklynn McGowan, Mayleigh R. McGowan; Siblings; Marilyn Parish and husband, Jimmy, Cheryl Meadows and husband, Edwin, and Sister-in-Law, Judy Byrd. She also leaves behind, to cherish her memory, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.