Mary Lee Hilbun Byrd was ushered into the presence and favor of God on January 6, 2024 at approximately 4:45 p.m. to receive her crown of life, renew former relationships and most importantly, meet her Lord Jesus in all His magnificence and glory.

Born April 15, 1938, Mary was the oldest girl of 9 siblings born to Vernon and Edith Hilbun.  As a result, she lovingly embraced motherly duties and a temperament which aided her mother and molded a sweet shy personality into a caretaker for life.  Having been reared by Christian parents, she heard the gospel and was born again at a young age.  Her faith, inner strength, and sweet spirit molded her into a young lady who desired a family and children of her own.

Mary met her husband to be at Rocky Creek High School where they graduated together with the class of 1956.  She and Donald F. Byrd soon married and moved to Chicago, Illinois where Don was stationed in the U. S. Army.  It was there where Mary gave birth to her first child, Donna Marie Byrd.  After returning to Lucedale, the Byrds were blessed with two more children.  Bobby was born in 1959 and Jimmy followed in 1961.

These children were blessed with a mother gifted well beyond her years.  She enjoyed nurturing and guiding her children as her full-time occupation.  She spent countless hours reading, playing, working, praying and living with her precious children.  She prayed and taught them the gospel, took them to church, helped them with schoolwork, taught them to work hard in the house and in the garden.  She made life fun!

As her children grew older, Mary worked as preschool kindergarten teacher to mold other young lives.  As her children moved on to college and had families of their own, she became a nurse and again found fulfillment in serving others.  She became a grandmother and began the loving cycle once again.

As her baby boy, I speak for my sister and late brother when I testify that I believe that the greatest earthly blessing that God gave us was a strong, sweet lady who was given the gift of motherhood.  She was a natural and we were the greatest joy of her life.  Although we grieve deeply and will miss her as long as we live, we rejoice that now she has received what she was promised.

Mary leave to cherish her memory: Daughter, Donna Byrd (Gordon) Alford, son Jimmy (Darlene) Byrd, 18 Grandchildren, Donya Alford Fowler, Chase Byrd, Christopher Gordon Alford, Lauran Byrd Altman, Lacey Alford(Brandon) Norris, Parker Ford (Jordon) Byrd, Elita Davis, Dylan Ortega, Adalynn Grace Fowler, Heatherly Sanchez, Hayden Sanchez, Vega Elizabeth Lee, Eden Angel Guthrie, Lana Emersyn Altman, Georgia Leigh Norris, Juliette Joy Norris, Andrew Blake Davis, Finley Elizabeth Byrd, 4 Brothers, Charles T. Hilbun, James C. (Anita) Hilbun, Donald Ray (Patsy) Hilbun, Jerry Hilbun, 2 Sisters, Edna Joy Greene Landrum, Rachel MacaBee Hilburn Collins, Sister-in-law, Virginia Hilbun

Preceded in death by: Husband, Donald Ford Byrd, son Robert Alan "Bobby" Byrd, Father Vernon F. Hilbun, Mother, Edith Parker Hilbun Pierce, 2 Brothers, Vernon F. Hilbun, Jr., William L. "Billy" Hilbun, Father-in-law, Ford Dewitt Byrd, Mother-in-Law, Hassie Malone Byrd

Calling hours will be January 10, 2024 from 10:30am till 12:00pm at the Rocky Creek Baptist Church with funeral service to follow at 12:00pm. Burial will be in the Magnolia Cemetery.

Sigler Funeral Home, 4248 Main Street, Lucedale, MS 39452, is in charge of arrangements.