Mary Bivens Byrd

   Mary Jo Bivens Byrd, 91, of Mark Drive, Edenton, NC, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, in Chowan River Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

   Mrs. Byrd was born in Gaston County on August 10, 1926, and was the daughter of the late Joseph Pittman Bivens and Callie Lee Withers Bivens. A homemaker, she was a member of Edenton Baptist Church.

   In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Hilliard Byrd; her sister, Frances McCarver; and by a brother, Jay Bivens.

   Surviving are three sons, Joe K. Byrd and wife Linda, and Mitchell Byrd and wife Carrie, all of Edenton, and Randy Byrd and wife Mallory of Newport; a brother, Robert “Bob” Bivens of Gastonia; five grandchildren, Cari Ashley, Leslie Jethro, Jamie Byrd, Steven Byrd, and Jessica Woodley; and four great-grandchildren, Bradley Ashley, Whitney Pierce, Madison Bass, and Karley Byrd.

   Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, and will be conducted by her pastor, The Rev. David Brooks.  Burial will follow in Beaver Hill Cemetery. Friends may join the family in the funeral home immediately following the chapel service, and all other times at the home of her grandson, Steven Byrd, 308 River Road, Edenton.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Edenton Baptist Church, 200 S. Granville Street, Edenton, NC 27932, and designated for use in the Recorded Ministry for the Shut in and Homebound.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.