Lena Clayton Byrd

Byrd Yadkinville- Mrs. Lena Marie Clayton Byrd, 83, of Dudley Street passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at Forsyth Medical Center. She was born April 27, 1932 in Caswell County to the late Wiley V. and Lessie Rudd Clayton. Mrs. Byrd kept children at her home for several years and became known as "Mama Lena". Then in 1979 she became employed with Hibco Plastics, Inc. of Yadkinville where she continued to work for several years until her retirement. She worked as a waitress and cook with the Yadkin Moose Lodge, and then worked as a cook at the Yadkin Dairy Freeze from November 2005-2010. Mrs. Byrd loved watching the University of North Carolina play sports and was an avid Carolina Tarheel Fan. She enjoyed working outside with her yardwork and especially enjoyed watching her "stories" every afternoon. Her greatest love was her husband, Richard Byrd whom she married July 14, 1950 and was a devoted caregiver to him through the years. She also loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, either by cooking for them or watching them in their various sporting events. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sisters, Lizzie Truitt, Mamie Hinkle, Doris Travis, Shirley Wilkins; her brothers, James Clayton, Thomas Clayton, Wilbur Clayton, and her infant brother, Willie Samuel Clayton. Surviving are her beloved husband of 65 years, Richard Byrd, of the home; her children, Douglas (Martha) Byrd, Cynthia (Mike) Speer, Dale (Penny)Byrd, Martha Byrd, all of Yadkinville; her grandchildren, Traci (Richie) Zachary, Shane Byrd, Natalie (Tony) Snow, Monica Byrd, Jenna (LaShaun) Breedlove, Douglas (Melissa) Byrd; great-grandchildren, Cooper Byrd, Austin Zachary, Camden Snow, Jaxon Byrd, Aria Breedlove; and her sisters, Arlene Massey, Alma McKinney, Catherine Hamlett; and her close friend and caregiver, Nellie Harris. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00PM Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville. The family will also receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Bush Arbor Primitive Baptist Church, 101 Cherry Grove Road, Yanceyville, NC 27379, Her funeral service will follow the visitation at 2:00PM Saturday by Elder David Underwood. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Bush Arbor Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 101 Cherry Grove Road, Yanceyville, NC 27379 or to Center United Methodist Church, 1349 Center Road, Yadkinville, NC 27055. Online condolences may be made to www.gentryfuneralservice.com.