Georgia "Jean" Byers Byrd transitioned from her earthly existence to her heavenly home with her three children and daughter in law by her side in Winston-Salem, NC on March 29, 2017.

Jean was born on December 20, 1950 in Salisbury, NC to Eugene and Betty Mae Conrad Byers. Though they spent a few years in Salisbury, NC, the family moved to Bethania, NC, her mother's hometown. Bethania is where Jean and many of her eight siblings grew up. In the late 1960s, Jean followed a few of her older sisters and left North Carolina for Connecticut in search of better opportunities.

Jean continued her education in Connecticut and completed several community college courses while working for the State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services before embracing early retirement. She was an active member of Bethesda Apostolic Church and served in many capacities. Upon returning to North Carolina in 2000, Jean visited several churches before making Saint John's Baptist Church her church home.  Jean loved her personal relationship with GOD, a relationship that was unshakeable. She believed service to others should be done with no question and gave to various charities, and churches. She volunteered as an operator for the Crisis Hotline and The Adaptables Center for independent living here in Winston-Salem.

Jean understood the importance of education in today's society, and this served as the basis for her determination to see that her three children graduated from college. This determination ultimately served as a catalyst for her to initiate plans to pursue an Associate Degree shortly before being re-hospitalized in late December 2016. Jean was an avid reader who also loved to write poetry and songs that she would test out on her children from time to time, saying that once completed she would publish them one day.  She would go to war with the world for her children and grandchildren, whom she loved unconditionally, while always making sure they understood accountability for their actions.  She cherished her relationships with each of her siblings, nieces, and nephews and was a straight shooter when offering advice and a listening ear. Jean spent lots of time texting and talking on the phone with many of them.  She loved to shop and if she couldn't get to a store personally, she had no problem with shopping on line. She loved the sun and took advantage of any chance she could to catch some rays. She also loved the rain because it was God's way of calming down the world. She loved the stars and the universe because of her belief that our existence was undoubtedly interrelated. Her ideal Christmas was one spent at the beach with her family when she was able to, taking in the ocean breeze and viewing yet another one of God's wonderful creations.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Jean is survived by her three children, Kevin B. Byers (Naomi), Marvin E. Byrd, Sr., and Jessica C. Byrd; three wonderful grandchildren, Marvin, Jr., Malcolm, and Saige; eight siblings, Julia Mae Jackson (Richard), Cynthia Hill, Thelma Lowery (Laurion), Betty Hart (Terry), Patsy Byers, Christine Ramey, Ali Shabazz, and Eunice Basta (Dave); very dear cousins, Arlene Hall, Elaine Young, Shirley Jean Kearney and Pearl Delores Mbah; and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends that she loved dearly.

Homegoing services will be held at 1:00pm Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Bethania AME Zion Church, 1705 Bethania Rural Hall Rd. W-S, NC 27106 with Reverend Leonard Lewis officiating.  Interment will follow in the Bethania AME Zion Church Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1:00pm on Tuesday at the Church.