Evelyn Irene Byrd

Evelyn Irene Bridger Byrd, of Madison, Alabama, went to be with her Lord Saturday, July 8, 2023. Irene's beautiful journey on this earth lasted for 102 years and 6 months.   Irene was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 12, 1921, to Evelyn S. and Gilbert R. Bridger. Irene is survived by three sons:  Dick Byrd (Sandi), Dave Byrd, and Tom Byrd (Alice); four grandchildren;  Susan Howard (Dennis), Brad Byrd (Lisa), Bryan Byrd, Matthew Byrd; six great grandchildren, and six great great grandchildren.  Irene was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Byrd, her parents, her sister Gladys Ethylene Bridger Oliver, and her grandson, Adam Byrd.

Funeral Services for Irene will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Legacy Chapel Funeral Home, 16 Hughes Rd, Madison, Alabama.  Pastor Trav Wilson of Madison Methodist Church will lead the service.  Visitation for Irene will be at 11:00 am, and funeral service at 12:00 pm.  There will be no graveside ceremony, with burial on Thursday.

Flowers may be delivered to Legacy Chapel, or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Madison Methodist Church.

Irene lived most of her life in Memphis, Tennessee, where she graduated from Messick High School.  She worked at Veterans Administration Kennedy Hospital in Memphis for 10 years, and retired in 1983 as Executive Secretary to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Memphis State University after 20 years.

Irene and her husband, John Byrd, lived a wonderfully happy marriage for 71 years, raising three sons.  After retirement from their careers, they travelled together extensively and gathered many close friends along the way.  They moved to Madison, Alabama, in 2004, to be near their son Tom, wife Alice, and grandson Matthew.  They were long time involved members at Buntyn Presbyterian Church in Memphis, and later they were long time members at Madison Methodist Church.  After John’s passing in 2013, she moved to Merrill Gardens Assisted Living in Madison, where she befriended all residents and employees she met.

Irene was a beautiful woman, inside and out, and her smile would light up a room.  She carried a special spark of elegance and friendliness, with a wonderfully simple classiness.  She continually prayed for opportunities to brighten someone’s life each day.  Family meant a great deal to her, and she shared her time and attention with them generously in many ways.  Irene was sociable and outgoing.  She was the quintessential planner and hostess.  She had a marvelous sense of humor and loved sharing stories and conversing.  She was always interested in what people had to say.  She loved to entertain, garden, sew, and travel with friends and family.  She will be dearly missed.