GYyjplheJi
Somewhere in my heart beneath all my grief and pain,
Is a smile I still wear at the sound of your dear name.
The precious word is MOTHER, she was my world you see,
But now my heart is breaking
cause shes no longer here with me.
God chose her for His angel to watch me from above,
To guide me and advise me and know that Im still loved.
The day she had to leave me when her life on earth was through,
God had better plans for her, for this, I surely knew.
When I think of her kind heart and all those loving years,
My memories surround me and I cant hold back the tears.
She truly was my best friend, someone I could confide in,
She always had a tender touch and a warm and gentle grin.
I want to thank you Mother for teaching me so well,
And though the time has come that I must bid you this farewell.
Ill remember all youve taught me
and make you proud youll see.
Thank you my Dear Mother for all the love you showed me.
Although youve left this earth and now youve taken flight,
I know that you are here with me each
morning, noon and night.
- Anonymous -
Deacon Ministry of Tabernacle Baptist Church
Just close your eyes and you will see
All the memories that you have of me
Just sit and relax and you will find
Im really still there inside your mind
Dont cry for me now Im gone
For I am in the land of song
There is no pain, there is no fear
So dry away that silent tear
Dont think of me in the dark and cold
For here I am, no longer old
Im in that place thats filled with love
Known to you all, as UP ABOVE.
- by Gaynor Llewellyn
The family sincerely appreciates the many kind and thoughtful
acts of sympathy shown during this time of loss. You have
shared with us in many ways that helped ease our burdens.
Your presence with us today during the final rites for one
we loved and cared for so dearly will not go unnoticed. Our
hearts are gladdened because of caring family and friends
like you. Many blessings and much love.
Gl/JiMwrtA, {^pfwiehcd (Jf/nc.
2945 Old Tobacco Road - Hephzibah, Georgia
706.792.1003
1765 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard - Augusta, Georgia
706.722.5551
Design/Printing By: Augusta Blueprint * Augusta, Georgia * 706.722.6488
WWW.AUGUSTAFUNERALNOTICES.COM
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR
Saturday, February 14, 2015
11:00 A.M.
TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH
1223 Laney Walker Boulevard
Augusta, Georgia
Reverend Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr., Pastor
- Officiating -
Dorothy Williams Byrd was born on September 13, 1916,
and entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, February 4,
2015. Dorothy, affectionately called, Dot, was the first born
of seven children to Henry and Daisy Fleming Williams of
Lincolnton, Georgia.
Dorothy attended elementary school in Lincolnton, Georgia.
She attended the Walker Institute boarding school in
Augusta, Georgia and graduated in 1937. Upon graduation,
she returned to Lincolnton, Georgia and was a teacher in the
elementary school system.
She moved to Augusta whereupon she married Harold Byrd,
whom she had known since high school, on June 28, 1938.
She and Harold had two daughters, Rubena and Sandra.
Dorothy and Harold shared a loving marriage for sixty years.
Both Harold and daughter, Rubena Byrd Parker, preceded
her in death.
At an early age, Dorothy received Christ and she was baptized
at the Tabernacle Baptist Church of Lincolnton, Georgia.
After moving to Augusta, Georgia and marriage to Harold
Byrd, she became a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church
of Augusta. Dorothy was a faithful and active member at
Tabernacle until she relocated to South Holland, Illinois to
live with Sandra in 2006.
Dorothy had passion for learning, and through a
correspondence course from Chicago, Illinois, she became a
practical nurse. In 1952, she was instrumental in organizing
a group of Practical Nurses, who under her leadership
were granted a charter as the Colored Practical Nurses
Association of Georgia, Inc. This group became organized
on a state wide basis and subsequently all districts both
White and Colored petitioned the State Legislators to pass
a licensing law. This petition was passed and approved March
2,1953 and they amended the charter that reads as Licensed
Practical Nurses Association of Georgia, Inc.
Although Dorothy was proud of her accomplishments as
practical nurse, she continued her education. At age forty-
five, she entered the Lamar School of Nursing at the University
Hospital to pursue a course in professional nursing and she
graduated in 1954. She passed the state boards, and received
a license as a Registered Nurse. Dorothy joined her daughter,
Sandra at the Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing,
whereupon they both received Baccalaureate Degrees in
Nursing in May 1974.
Dorothy excelled at her career in nursing. She worked at
several Augusta hospitals where she was highly regarded by
physicians, nurse administrators, co-workers and patients
alike. She retired from the Veterans Hospital, Forest Hills
Division May 29, 1982, and she continued to work part-
time at the Georgia Regional Youth facility for several years.
Dorothy continued to provide caring assistance to others, and
she would often feed several residents at her Assisted Living
residence in South Holland, Illinois. She was an inspiration
to the nursing staff and she would often tutor them.
Throughout her life, Dorothy was actively involved in
many church, social, civic and charitable activities. She
was a member of Phi Chi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority.
She worked tirelessly and faithfully in all of her endeavors
especially her family reunion organization, the Martin-
Leverett Association.
Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory: a loving and devoted
daughter, Sandra Byrd Peterson (James A., Jr.) of South
Holland, Illinois; sister, Ernestine Tucker of Columbia, South
Carolina; three grandchildren, James A. Peterson, III, of
South Holland, Illinois, Michelle Parker Miller (Terry) of
Evans, Georgia and David L. Parker of Fort Worth, Texas;
three great grandchildren; son-in-law, Herman Parker of
Augusta, Georgia; nieces, nephews, cousins, her very dear
friend, Johnny Crowley, and a host of friends.
(SMe ^kde/i (Se/wice
Processional
Scriptures....................Reverend Wanda Richardson
Old Testament - Psalm 121: 1-8
New Testament - 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Prayer...........................Reverend Norman Kelley
Selection..........................How Great Thou Art
Remarks.......................Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority
10th District LPN Association
Martin-Leverett Association, Inc.
Resolutions....................Tabernacle Baptist Church
Paine College Alumni Association
Obituary
Selection.....................................It Is Well
Eulogy..............Reverend Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr.
Recessional
Interment..........................Southview Cemetery