Ernestine Yon Byrd

Our Mother, Ernestine Yon Byrd, age 95, passed away on Monday, December 21, 2015. She was a resident of Pascagoula, MS, and was living in a Personal Care home in Vancleave, Mississippi, at the time of her death. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pascagoula.
Mother was a homemaker and a stay-at-home Mom; however, she also worked as a substitute teacher for several years in the Gulfport City School System. She was active at Northeast Elementary School in the Parent Teachers' Association, serving as President and as State Representative in Jackson, MS.
She graduated from Pascagoula High School as the Salutatorian for her graduating class, and also graduated with Special Honors from Perkinston Junior College with an Associates Degree.
In June of 1941, she married James C. Byrd of Gulfport.
Mother was a member of Eastern Star. She headed the Gulf Coast March of Dimes one year and set a record for funds raised. In 1980, she was installed as President of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Shrine Auxiliary. She and Daddy were active in National Association for Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) and they also represented the State of Mississippi in Washington, DC, at the annual NARFE Conferences.
She was an avid bridge player and was a member of bridge clubs in both Gulfport and Pascagoula at different times during her life. She was also a member of PEO in Pascagoula, and of Phi Beta Kappa in Gulfport. Aside from bridge, one of Mother's favorite clubs was Pascagoula Sewing Circle organized by several ladies during WWII to darn clothing for military men serving our country. It has been active for decades, and over the years it became a social club because as Mother said, ""There wasn't a needle in the bunch.""
Upon Daddy's retirement, they were blessed to be able to travel at will. For over 20 years they traveled with friends all across the United States - visiting all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico - and went on two Carribean cruises.
She is preceded in death by her husband, James C. Byrd; her parents Fred Yon and Irene Peters Yon; and four siblings, Mary Jeanette Yon Martin, Vivian Inez Yon Martin, Frederick Yon, Jr, and Emanuel Joseph Yon. Her survivors include three children, a son, James C. Byrd (Lori) of Madison, AL; two daughters, Irene Byrd Comeaux (Glen) of Moss Point, MS; and Sharon B. Van Parys (Peter) of Dadeville, AL; one brother, John Frederick Yon (Tina) of Hurley, MS; and one sister-in-law, Margie Yon of Biloxi, MS; seven grandchildren, Terri L. Morse of Long Beach, MS; Cynthia B. Alward (Todd) of Toney, AL; Wendy B. Overton (Lee), Enola Byrd, and Erin Byrd, all of Madison, AL; Scott Comeaux of Baton Rouge, LA; Mark Comeaux (Lisa) of Denham Springs, LA; and eight great-grandchildren, Taylor Morse of Long Beach, MS; Payton Byrd, Ava Willoughby, and Gracelin Byrd, all of Madison, AL; Shelby Reeves, Willow Alward, and Karma Alward, all of Toney, AL; and Jarred Comeaux of Denham Springs, LA. And, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends of the family.
Our family especially wants to thank Mother's personal care givers who worked tirelessly around the clock to fulfill her every need. They are wonderful angels and we certainly are indebted to Gloria Broome, Bobbie Ferguson, Kim Carroll, Barbara Bullock, Linda Holly, and families. The home is truly a family affair. We also wish to thank all the employees with St Joseph Hospice for their kindnesses and support, particularly her nurses, Brenda Voelkel and Rhonda Smith. They were wonderful to her. And, last, but not least, we wish to thank Dr. Louis Rubenstein, her primary physician, and his staff at the Ocean Springs Family Clinic who cared for her diligently for the last 15 years.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the American Heart Association in her name.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 23rd with the Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport. Burial will be at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, 8091 Carl Legett Road, Gulfport, MS. The online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com