Myrna Louise Byrd of St. James passed away Wednesday July 3, 2024 at the Aurora Health and rehab Center in Rolla, Missouri. She was 82 years of age.

She was born in St. James, Missouri on November 26,1941 the daughter of the late Walter and Eunice Bunton Roark.

On July 27, 1957 in Rolla, Missouri she was united in marriage to William James Byrd.

Myrna is survived by her husband, William J. Byrd of 66 years; sons, Richard Byrd (Brenda) of Cuba, Missouri and William Thomas Byrd (Guen) of Uniontown, Ohio; daughters: Joyce Byrd Brown of Byrnes Mill, Missouri, Brenda Forrester (David) of Joplin, Missouri, and Cindy Barton (Duane) of Rolla, Missouri; brother, Walter Thomas of Ozark, Alabama; sister, Janice White of St. James, Missouri. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Sean Byrd, Robbie Yates, Lisa Ham, Gabe Barton, Drenda Barnett, Briana Plank, Chelsey Byrd, Justin Quisenberry, Kitirina Byrd, and Cameron Cameron; great-grandchildren: William Barnett, Iris Barnett, Riley Plank, Tommy Plank, Wyatt Plank, Casey Plank, Katelynn Yates, Lilly Yates, Blake Yates, Maggie Ham, Julianna Ham, Logan Byrd, Liam Quisenberry, Leana Quisenberry and Grayson Byrd, along with a host of other family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law, Michael Brown; grandson, Tristan Quisenberry; great-granddaughter, Harper Quisenberry; sisters, Rita White and Irene Cavanaugh; brothers: James Thomas, William Thomas, and Vernon Roark.

Myrna was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She spent many hours in her vegetable garden along with tending to her roses, petunias, and irises. She preserved many quarts of green beans, sauerkraut, jams, jellies, and apple butter. She was famous for her apple butter which became a family tradition in the fall. She loved to share her homemade goods with her family and friends at the many huge family gatherings, especially around the holidays. Throughout her life, she enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, playing cards, Scrabble, sewing, quilting, knitting, and cross stitching as well.

Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 PM Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at Jones Funeral Home with Nick Lewis officiating. Pallbearers will be David Forrester, Duane Barton, Gabe Barton, Justin Quisenberry, Tommy Plank, Jr., and Robbie Yates. Burial will be in the St. James Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Parkinson's Foundation at this website or American Cancer Society at this website .

Online condolences may be entered at jonesfunerals.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.