Elaine Smith Byrd

Elaine Smith Byrd

Pennsylvania

It is with both deep sorrow and eternal joy that we announce the death of Elaine (Smith) Byrd, who died on March 22, 2021, at the age of 85, in Murrysville, Pennsylvania after a full life and a long final journey home to be with the Lord.

Elaine was born on July 4, 1935 at her family home in Deep Run, North Carolina. She learned the values of faith, family and hard work on the family farm, the oldest of five children. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University where she was active in Baptist Student Fellowship. She moved to Virginia, where she met her husband, Richard, whom she married in June of 1960. They both were educators in Manassas City and later Fairfax County for many years.  They raised a family and made Virginia their home, where they developed deep friendships with many at work and church. She was a long-time member of Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas, Virginia. Elaine loved to teach, bake amazing cookies, go boating, and travel with family and friends.  She loved her children and grandchildren deeply, especially times of good food and fellowship around the table, card games, attending sporting events, dance recitals and music concerts over the years. 

She was predeceased by: her loving husband of 60 years, Richard Byrd; her parents, Glennie and Annie Lee Smith; and her youngest sister, Dale Yvonne.

She is survived by: her son, Glenn Nolan Byrd (and wife Laura), of Wilmington, NC; her daughter, Donna Byrd Gabler (and husband Robert) of Greensburg, PA; her grandchildren, Matthew Earl Byrd, of Austin, TX; Brian Christopher Byrd, of Wilmington, NC; Nathanael Corbin Gabler (and fiancée Lara Lee Key), of Oxford, MS; and Austin Bryant Gabler (and fiancée Julie Everett), of Duluth, GA.  She is also survived by her brother and wife, Currie and Margaret Smith, of Deep Run, NC; her sister and husband, Joanne and Donald Ipock, of Cove City, NC; and sister, Emma Jane Smith of the family home in Deep Run, NC, as well many dearly loved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Due to COVID there will not be a specific scheduled time for a viewing, but you may, at your convenience, visit Elaine at Pink Hill Funeral Home during open hours Thursday and Friday, March 25 and 26 if you wish. A graveside celebration of life will be held at 11am on Saturday, March 27, at Westview Cemetery in Kinston, North Carolina, with Reverend Ray Brown officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation by following the link below.

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