Mary Byrd

Mary Elizabeth White Byrd died at her home on April 29, 2009 at the age of 97. Mrs. Byrd was a retired homemaker and grocery store operator. She and her husband, Jim Byrd and family owned and operated Byrd's Grocery in the Clear Branch community for many years.\ \ Born January 3, 1912 in Rankin County, MS to Henry White and Nannie Holcomb White, she was the 4th of ten children. She married Jim Byrd in 1929 and they celebrated 55 years of marriage until his death in 1984. \ \ In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Bo Byrd, 7 brothers, Norris, Bob, Allen, Pete, Scott, Bill and Jack White, one sister, Doris White and one granddaughter, Suzan Sanders.\ \ She is survived by one son, Jerry Byrd and wife Shirley of Ridgeland and one daughter, Jeanette Harper of Florence; 9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren; one sister, Merle Lewis of Florence; one sister-in-law, Ruby White of Brandon and numerous nieces and nephews.\ \ She was the oldest surviving member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in the Clear Branch community.\ \ Visitation will be at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence Friday, May 1, 2009, 5 p.m. til 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturday prior to the Funeral services at Mt. Zion Baptist Church at 11 a.m. May 2, 2009 with burial at Clear Branch Cemetery.\ \ Mrs. Byrd read the obits everyday as long as she could, after which they had to be read to her. She insisted hers be written in advance so that she could approve it. This was read and approved by Miss Mary April 3, 2004.\