Homegoing Celebration for D. Leah Byrd, June 19, 1947 - March 26, 1998, Wednesday, April 1, 1998, Two O'Clock in the Afternoon in the Sanctuary of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 1540 Pryor Road, Southwest, Atlanta, Georgia, Bishop Donald G.K. Ming, Presiding Prelate, Sixth Episcopal District, Rev. L. Jerome Jones, Presiding Elder, South Atlanta District, Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Bess, Sr., Senior Pastor, Officiating, Brother Luther Washington, Minister of Music

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June 19, 194 7

March 26, 1998

Wednesday, April 1, 1998
Two O'Clock in the Afternoon

IN THE SANCTUARY OF

1540 Pryor Road, Southwest Atlanta, Georgia

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Presiding Prelate Sixth Episcopal District

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Presiding Elder South Atlanta District

Senior Pastor Officiating

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Minister of Music

Donella Leah Byrd was born to Charles and Lula Neal in Nashville, Tennessee. The family moved to Chattanooga where she began her education in the public schools of that city. She accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of the Wylie Memorial C. M. E. Church. Leah, as she was affectionally called, completed her secondary education in Oakland, California. She began her college career at San Francisco College for Women in Long Mountain; she completed her undergraduate degree at Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia.
Upon graduating, Leah began her life's work as a teacher with the Atlanta Public School Systetn. In 1969 Leah was joined in matrimony with Richard H. Byrd and soon relocated with him to Chicago, Illinois where he pursued a master's degree at the University of Chicago. While in Chicago, Leah distinguished herself as a bright young educator with the Cook County Public School System.
Leah and Richard returned to Atlanta where she completed her master's degree in education at Georgia State Universtiy; she later received a Specialist Degree also at Georgia State University. While at Georgia State, Leah pledged the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. In 1975 the Byrds were blessed with their daughter, Kinaya. The family joined the St. paul A. M. E. Church and quickly became active members. Leah served faithfully as an officer of Steward Board No. 1 and was dedicated member of the Music and Dramatic Guild. Leah was a quiet woman of action and Christian intervention. Her interest in improving the academic performance and self esteern of children throughout the city led her to co-found and direct St. Paul's Saturday School Enrichment Program. The program provides breackfast, tutoring and counseling to students of Carver Homes and the surrounding community.
Leah served with distinction as the principal of the L. P. Miles Elementary School. Under her leadership Miles became a Georgia State School of Excellence. Consistent in its achievement of outstanding test results for reading and mathematics, Miles was one of the first recipients of the Pay for Performance Award in the State of Georgia. The school also developed nature trails, hosted performers from Taiwan, China, and experienced 100% state PTA membership for several years.
Leah is loved and respected by her family, friends, and colleagues; her dignity and reserve were endearing. She received numerous honors and awards as tributes to her excellence. A devoted wife and mother she leaves to cherish her memory a husband Richard, daughter Kinaya, sister Marynette Watson (Harold) of Gadsden, Alabama, as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

~ I f$ZZ%%%ZZZZZ%Z%%%%'7%%%%ZZZZZZZZ:ZZZZ%Z%%Z%%%%'%'%%%':Z%ZZZZZZZZZ%ZZ~1 THE EVERLASTING LIGHT

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Those we love must sometimes pass

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Beyond our present sight;

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Must leave us and must leave our world Without their radiant light;

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But, we can say that like the candle

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They are just away.

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That another room is brightened

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By their warm and lovely ray.

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And in Heaven's candelabra

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Where they shine divinely bright

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Each candle burns forevermore

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In God 's eternal light.

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The classes on earth have ended. Donella Leah Byrd has been translated to the School of Eternity. This is the promise of a New Beginning.
Yet the tolling of the school bells causes our philosophic minds to retrospect the years that she dwelt among us.

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She was a tremendous person and an outstanding educator, but a recital of professional accomplishments and honors does not give the full measure of this woman, for she was "involved in mankind."
She was a woman who started at the bottom, but believed in the top.

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She was one who never lost the common touch of her love for the soils of Georgia or her devo-

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tion to her parents or her pride in her family's accomplishments or her love and delight in the amazement of a niece or nephew or her reverence for God.

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Moreover, Leah was a lover of people. Her broad smiles and warm hugs, those compassionate touches upon the elderly, the disadvantaged and aspiring youth, attested to and betrayed her inner warmth and love for mankind.
Further, she became the principal who not only gave of her wisdom but also of her faith and lovingness. A believer in professional excellence, she strove to lead youth to the threshold of their own minds. In so doing, she gave her life to something that will outlast it.
Yes, to toil, to strive, to serve, to err, to laugh, to grow, to love through all of this was the way

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that the admired educator, Donella Leah Byrd, made her earthly pilgrimage. Above all, in the final hours of her life we saw her greatness of flesh, with its flowing and

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indomitable courage to face life's inevitableness, serene and unafraid. Therefore, came an inspiration that will not pale because it was borne of faith.

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So today, greatness in the flesh lives forevermore in a love once anchored in death, now free m Eternity's holy light.

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From this light comes rays of hope that bring us solace: Truly, the school bells toil for thee: Donella

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Leah Byrd ... Even so, Love is eternal. Your sister.

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Love did not go when it ceased to flame, The dying embers held in the hidden spark.
Although the kindling might not be the same, The minds it lit will never cease the dark.
And she who came at last to Winter's chilly sun Rejoicing through the twilight of years,
T:.~e:n:;eco~f;t0:; ~~::: ~~:~tse~~o:,o Although she knew that life's best work was done, proud for tears,

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A prevailing love through the afterglow.

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THE PRELUDE
THE PROCESSIONAL ................................................................................................................................. "jesu: joy of Man's Desiring"
THE HYMN OF PRAISE .............................................................................................................................................................................#323 ({What a Friend We Have in jesus"
THE PRAYER .....................................................................................................................................................................Rev. Frances Hunter
THE SELECTION .............................................................................................................:...............................................................Lana Adams ({He Shall Feed His Flock"
THE SCRIPTURES: The Old Testament: Isaiah 40:28-3l ..................................................................................................................Rev. Mitzi Bickers The New Testament: I Corinthians 15:50-57............................................................................................Bro. Jason Robinson The Epistle: I Thessalonians 5:9-13 .............................................................................................Rev. Dr. Preston Williams, II
THE SELECTION ................................................................................................................................................................L. P. Miles Chorus "All things Bright and Beautiful" Roslyn Whatley, Choral Director
THE TRIBUTES: Atlanta Public School System Ms. Virginia lngersoll.................................................................................................................3rd Grade Teacher, L. P. Miles Dr. Betty Strickland ..........................................................................................................................Deputy Supt. of Instruction Dr. Benjamon Canada .................................................................................................................................................Superintendent
THE TRUMPET SOLO ..........................................................................................................................................................Jamont D. Lane "Amazing Grace"
THE TRIBUTES: A Friend ............................................................................................................................................................................Bro. John Griglen A Friend....................................................................................................................................................................Sis. Barbara Lightfoot A Church Member...............................................................................................................................................Bro. Carlos Reese, Sr.
THE RESOLUTION ....................................................................................................................................................Bro. Richard Sinkfield
THE SELECTION ....................................................................................................................................St. Paul A. M. E. Church Choir
THE PROCLAMATION.......................................................................................................................................................Rep. Grace Davis THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................................................Ms. Jean Dodd THE SOLO ................................................................................................................................................................................Rev. Willie Heard
({My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord"
THE EULOGY .................................................................................................................................................Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Bess, Sr.
THE RECESSIONAL........................................................................................................................................................ "Going Up Yonder"
Mary Casey Organist, Choir Directress
THE INTERMENT ........................................................................................................................................................South-View Cemetery Atlanta, Georgia

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Michael Bennett Charles Felton
Larry Mims Labot Yancy

Forest English Wayman Jones Eugene Trapp

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St. Paul A. M. E. Church Steward Board No. 1 L. P. Miles Faculty
Atlanta Public School System 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.

St. Paul A. M. E. Church Stewardesses L. P. Miles Faculty
Lane-clark Usherette Board Jenkins-Russell Usherette Board
Richard Sagers Usher Board D. A. Townsley Usher Board

The family of the late D. Leah Byrd wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude for your love, encouragement and kindness during this time of need. The burdens were lightened just because you though enough to show that you care. We pray God's richest blessings will be showered down upon you and that you will be granted peace.
THE FAMILY

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