Shirley Jean Byrd
July 13, 1941 ~ September 23, 2018
Shirley Jean Byrd, 77, of Weirton, passed away Sunday, September 23, 2018 in the Weirton Medical Center. She was born July 13, 1941 in New Castle, Alabama, a daughter of the late Booker T. and Thelma Carr Curtis. She was also preceded in death by her brother Booker T. Curtis, Jr.
Shirley retired from the Brooke County Board of Education where she served as an Assistant Principal at Brooke High School. She was a member of the Memorial Baptist Church in Weirton, where she was an active member of the Sunday School Class, Pairs and Spares. She enjoyed participating in the Rock Steady exercise class, cooking and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband Robert Byrd; daughter Leslie (John) Morris of Marietta, GA; brothers Ray (Rita) Curtis of Woodstock, GA, Tommy (Tina) Curtis of Aliquippa, PA, Jeff (Valerie) Curtis of Weirton, Jackie Curtis of Wintersville, OH and Wayne Curtis of Weirton; sisters Carla (Donnell) Ross of Lithonia, GA and Tracy Curtis of Weirton; grandchildren Kiersten (Peter) Richmond and great granddaughter Ava Richmond of Woodstock, GA.
Friends will be received Friday from 12 noon until the 1 PM funeral service at the Weirton Heights Memorial Baptist Church, 121 Ivy Street, Weirton, WV. Dr. Holley Faulkner will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Paul Cemetery, Weirton.
Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com 304-748-3219.
Mrs. Byrd was one of my favorite teachers at Brooke High. Exceptional educator, positive role model and just a wonderful person. Cheryl Gilchrist Murphy St. Louis, MO
I loved Mrs. Byrd when I was at Brooke! She was the best Principal! They need to have more like her! Love and prayers to her family. Love, Karen Gurrera-Thompson
Mrs Byrd was a kind person who always listened to the students and was never in a hurry when we needed to talk. She will be missed.
Mrs. Byrd was one of the best teachers I had at Brooke High School. She made class fun and enjoyable. Which made learning easier. She will be sadly missed by many. Condolences to her family. Edna Fay Deakins Hemsley, Colliers WV
Robert and family,
You have my deepest sympathy. Robert I worked with you years ago when you worked for Dr. Flood. Mrs. Byrd was a assistant principal when I taught at Brooke and a very fine woman. I enjoyed conversations with her. She will be missed by all.
Dear Robert and family. There are so many great memories, far too many to write here. Bud and I are in Florida and will not be there for the service. Much love and prayers to all of you. Patti and Bud Scroggins
Robert and family, I had the good fortune of working with and for Shirley while she was at Brooke High School. Shirley was a very dedicated individual who treated everyone fairly. She will be sadly missed. Dave and Vicki Reitter
Mrs Byrd made a huge impact on my life back in 1973 to 1974. She was an amazing teacher and a truly wonderful friend.
Mrs. Byrd was my homeroom teacher from 1973-1977. She was wonderful teacher, advisor and friend. Her guidance helped me navigate my high school years and I could always count on her to help guide me. I thought of her often when remembering high school. My thoughts and prayers to all her family. Rest in Peace Mrs. Byrd, you will be missed. Nancy Scott Class of ’77
Mrs. Byrd was my boss during some of my early teaching days at Brooke High. I loved how she handled herself in our male dominated early principal days at BHS. I liked her style with managing us—her teachers as well as her clear and fair methods of discipline for students. Always a beautiful lady. Loved those nails! I miss the days with her at Brooke. Sorry for your loss and ours Mary Ciccolella Schwertfeger
Mrs. Byrd was my center 3 principal at Brooke High from 1985 to 1990. She had the patience of a saint; for a brat like me back in those days. She taught me some important life lessons. I will never forget her kind smile or the way she cared about her students. Rest in peace Mrs. Byrd. Know you changed the lives of many children, all for the better.
Dear Leslie and your family,
I was so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. While I never met your mom, I feel like I knew her from your stories. I wanted to let you know that I have you in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you are doing ok and take comfort that those around you care and are thinking of you.
Mrs Byrd was such a wonderful woman. My son Jeffrey absolutely loved her and I believe she felt the same way toward him. She was a good influence on him. When he was tragically killed in an automobile accident (after he graduated), she was there to comfort us. She will be greatly missed.
David and Allyson Pugh
Robert, Sorry to hear this news. She will be greatly missed. Dorothy Kuhn
Dear Mrs.Byrd’s family,
Thank You for Sharing Mrs Byrd with all of us!She was an amazing administrator! Mrs.Byrd was often seen hauling piles of heavy books or educational booklets with guidance counselors & students while dressed to the nines(With a big beautiful smile on her face)!She truly had a kind professional demeanor with students,teachers,& the staff.I am most sorry for your loss.
.
Robert and Family, I also had the fortune working with Shirley, at Brooke High. Shirley, became a dear friend and will always remember her. She was very dedicated to her job always looked out for the students and staff. With many heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathy to you and your family. Delcie and Carle Jones and Family
A Caring Congregation… Caring for the Community…
708 N. 5th Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
740-282-9257 (Office) 740-282-9265 (Fax)
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God;
He is the faithful God,
keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations
of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
We, the faithful believers who worship at the Mount Carmel Community Baptist Church, wish to extend to Bro. Robert Byrd, and the entire family of Sis. Shirley Jean Byrd, our heartfelt compassion and love in the loss of your loved one.
We know that earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Therefore, we submit ourselves to the will of God and pray that you will allow the Holy Spirit to ease your pain and that you will be able to find peace and comfort in His Word at this time by leaning and depending on Him. Jesus himself spoke of such a time as this by saying, ‘Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted’.
The members of the Mt. Carmel Community Baptist Church pause in sympathy to encourage and embrace your entire family. We know that the death of a loved one is never easy to bear, but when our trust is anchored in Jesus, we do have a measure of acceptance and understanding of God’s will.
To Shirley’s family and friends, we offer Jesus the Christ; accept Him if you do not know Him. Lean on Him if He is already your Lord; for He has promised never to leave you or forsake you. We pray that God will continue to give you grace and consolation in your time of need.
Humbly submitted with Christian love:
The Mt. Carmel Church Family
Rev. Benjamin L. Calvert, II
Senior Pastor
Sincere condolences. May God bring peace and comfort to the entire family. Patrick & Shrica Morris
To the Byrd family, I was greatly saddened to hear of Mrs. Byrd’s recent passing. I have fond memories of Mrs. Byrd while serving as her student teacher in the mid 70s. I was always amazed by her grace, preparation, compassion and, especially, the calm and dignified demeanor that she displayed on a daily basis. She was a gifted educator and, more importantly, one of the nicest individuals that I have known. You have my deepest condolences and prayers. We are all better for the privilege of passing through her life.
Pat McCune
Our hearts go out to the Byrd family. What I remember most about Mrs. Bird was her gentle smile which reflected her huge heart. We pray that you experience the comfort of Jesus as He holds you up during this time. From Wilbert & Ellen Morris
Robert,
Mrs. Byrd was a wonderful administrator. She inspired me to become an administrator and handle all problems with fairness and and consistency. I will always remember her guiding me as a new teacher and helping me always. She was once special lady who loved you and her family.
Leslie, So sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. You look so much like her. I didn’t know her, but leaves don’t fall far from trees, and you are awesome. Thinking about you and John and your family. Sending hugs your way. Fondly, Paula Levendorf Goldsmith