The Life of Ms. Fannie Byrd, 66

Fannie Elma Byrd, 66, of Chesapeake, VA, died suddenly and unexpectedly Friday, March 1, 2013, in Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, Chesapeake, VA. We are inconsolable at her loss, but take comfort that the Lord thought fit to spare her from protracted suffering or illness.

"Grandma" Fannie was born June 23, 1946, in Greensville County, Virginia, to Lucille Garner and the late Willie James Mangum, but home was always Norfolk, VA, where she was raised by her loving mother and adoptive father, the late Ralph Thomas, Sr.

It was in Norfolk where she got her start in life, graduating early at the age of 16 from Booker T. Washington High School, and to which she would return years later.

In between she moved to New York City where she worked for the New York Police Department and was blessed with three children: daughter Cathy and son Antonio with Bernard Byrd and daughter Keturah with the late Wallace Doyle. Her full-time jobs as mother of three and 911 dispatcher did not afford her much spare time, but what she earned she spent barbecuing, fishing and traveling to new places.

After returning to Norfolk, she embarked on a long and productive career at the Norfolk shipyard, where she worked for over twenty years as a proud member of Boilermakers Local 684. Her biggest achievements were achieving the rank of supervisor and, more important, honorary grandmother to countless colleagues and "new" family. Upon retirement she planned on devoting herself to her garden and her kitchen. Because even though she was leaving work, she was never leaving her "other" children.

She is survived by her mother Lucille Thomas (Emporia, VA); daughters Cathy Samuels and husband Michael (Virginia Beach, VA) and Keturah Wilson and husband Quentin (Chesapeake, VA); son Antonio Byrd and wife Dalia (Palm Coast, FL); brother Ralph Thomas Jr. and wife Carlethia (Lees Summit, MO); sisters Everlena Thomas, Monique Thomas, Asia Thomas (all of New York, NY) and Gloria Hartwell (Patterson, NJ); sister-in-law Barbara Byrd (Brooklyn, NY); aunts Eula Highe and husband Eugene (Emporia, VA); Earlene Delancey (Portsmouth, VA) and Florine Smith (Portsmouth, VA); uncle Ernest Garner (Roanoke Rapids, NC); ten grandchildren among them Destiny, Deserae and Ashanti who she raised as her own; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Fannie hangs up her hat a loving wife, devoted daughter, beloved mother and grandma to all.

Funeral Services for Ms. Fannie Byrd will be held Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Evangelistic Church of Deliverance-Chapel, Weldon, NC at 1:00 pm, Bishop Wayne I. Welch will officiate.

Burial will follow in Garner Memorial Gardens, Gaston, NC.

A viewing will be held Friday, March 8, 2013 from 12:00 High Noon to 3:00 pm at 2103 Spadina Ave., Chesapeake, VA.

The Family will be receiving family and friends at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Eugene & Eula Highe.

Ms. Fannie Byrd is in the comfort of Coleman Funeral Home and Staff...Because We Care...