FOR ~ I!Jra4 ~\!t~ 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 YitdA:tyz g c;na& :: % ~ Presiding Prelate Sixth Episcopal District 9k 2: femme fozej Presiding Elder South Atlanta District Senior Pastor Officiating gjnde, :fader ~j~ 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 ~~ Those we love must sometimes pass ~~ W Beyond our present sight; ~ ~ ~~ Must leave us and must leave our world Without their radiant light; ~ ~~ w~ But, we can say that like the candle ~~ W They are just away. ~ ~ That another room is brightened ~W By their warm and lovely ray. ~~J;i ~ And in Heaven's candelabra ~ ~ Where they shine divinely bright M Each candle burns forevermore ~~ ~ In God 's eternal light. ~ ~~~~~~~~~~'0;~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"&~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ . ~~~--~N~~K~~H~H~~~UH~_H~~~~AHHH~ IIII 9n