MRS. ESTHER SMALLWOOD RICKS BYRD
She was strong and graceful, as well as cheerful about the future. Her words were sensible, and her advice was thoughtful. Her children praised her, and with great pride her husband said, "there are many good women, but you are the best!" Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away; but a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised. (Proverbs 31:25-26; 28-31)Please join with us as we celebrate a beautiful legacy of life, love, grace, sincerity, and strength left to cherish by our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother. Just as she wonderfully entered into this world on September 30, 1930 to the late John & Effie Watson Smallwood, her spirit miraculously returned to be with the Lord, and her late husband William H. Byrd on Saturday, November 10, 2007; she was also preceded in death by her sister Laura Chappell, and her brother Sidney Smallwood.
Mrs. Byrd’s love of life was visibly seen in her service first to the Lord; her family; her church of forty five years, St. Mark A.M.E. Zion, where she ministered in the Adult Choir, served as a Deaconess and on the Stewardess Board. She was also instrumental in assisting her neighbors, loved ones, and strangers with acts of kindness whenever needed. She was also faithfully employed with Hillcrest Retirement Center for 25 years.
Left to celebrate her memory are her children; John W. Ricks, Jr. (Lily), Alexandria, VA; E. Elizabeth Haskett (William), Andrew Ricks, Laura O. Hawkins, and Shirley J. Morris (Percell) all of Suffolk; Gloria L. Worthington, Washington, DC; Gayle R. Jordan (Michael), Newport News, VA; Marion W. Golden (William), Hampton, VA; and Catheleen R. Jordan (Darrell), Herndon, VA; 2 foster children, Tarence D. Majette (Demetria), Norfolk, VA; and Antoinette R. Jones (Terrance), Bastrop, Louisiana; 22 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, one aunt, many, many dear cousins and friends.
The family will assemble at Crocker Funeral Home to greet family and friends, 900 East Washington Street, Suffolk, VA, on Wednesday, November 14, 2007, 6pm - 7pm to view the remains as it lie in state. The Celebration of Life observance will take place on Thursday, November 15, 2007, 1pm, St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church, 809 McKinley Ave., Suffolk, by the Rev. Willmers Williams.
All monetary acts of kindness are asked to be donated to St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church’s Building Fund in memory of Mrs. Byrd; all flowers and cards are asked to be sent to Crocker Funeral Home. Interment will be at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, Suffolk.. The family will assemble at 901 Brook Ave, Suffolk at 12pm for the procession to the church. The family ask that you join them for a repast in the fellowship hall at St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church immediately following the internment.
