Mary Fae (Smith) Byrd, 96, of Martinsburg went to be with her Lord on June 22, 2022, at Stonerise Martinsburg in Martinsburg.
Born March 3, 1926, at Sugar Grove, she was the eldest daughter of the late Arlie Cameron and Mary Elzibeth Smith.
Mrs. Byrd graduated from Franklin High School as valedictorian of her class in 1944. In 1947, she graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University), having completed her bachelor of science degree in secondary education in three years. While she was at Madison College, she was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau (social sorority) and Kappa Delta Phi (honor society) and president of student government for one semester.
Having been active in 4-H all her life, she was awarded the honor of being a 4-H All Star and a trip in 1946 to National 4-H Congress in Chicago, Illinois.
She was an active member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for more than 70 years, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, a former choir member and served wherever she was needed.
She was a former school teacher, having taught in Pendleton County and Berkeley County for 20 years, mostly teaching her beloved first graders at Burke Street School in Martinsburg.
She was known by her friends as Fae and was an accomplished seamstress and excelled in most all needlecrafts. She enjoyed sharing her work with her family and friends.
On July 25, 1948, she married Walter Elwood Byrd, who died Nov. 18, 2015.
Surviving are a brother, Edward Smith of Staunton, Virginia; a sister, Linda Dorsey of Clarksburg; a daughter, Kara Jyll Byrd Hayes and husband, Jim of Purcellville, Virginia; a son, Walter Eric Byrd and wife, Linda of Dickerson, Maryland; three grandchildren, Jason, John and Jennifer; and five great-grandchildren, Jordan, Mackenzie, Brenna, Cameron and Brant.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, 1st Lt. Paul Smith (Army Air Force, WWII) and David Smith of Martinsburg; and a sister, Madaline Shanholtz of Sugar Grove.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St Luke’s United Methodist Church in Martinsburg with Pastor Mike Cantley Officiating. Burial will be private, for family only, in Rosedale Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Street School, 422 W. Burke St, Martinsburg, WV 25401 or St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 700 New York Ave, Martinsburg, WV 25401.
Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home in Martinsburg.
Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.
