Barbara June Byrd (Floyd) born September 9, 1943 in Neosho, MO passed away peacefully on June 17, 2023 in Tacoma, WA. Barbara was the oldest of two children born to Samuel S. Floyd and Martha A. Floyd (Noland). Barbara’s husband Melvin preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother Gary Floyd of San Angelo, TX; five children: Sammie Russell, Rebecca Byrd, Jonathan Byrd, Deiva Rountree, Melia McNatt; 13 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and countless nieces and nephews.
Shortly after Barbara was born, her father, Sam, was deployed during WWII. During his deployment Barbara and her mother lived in Neosho, MO with her mother’s family and later in Snyder, TX to live with her father’s family. When Sam returned, Martha, Sam, and Barbara settled in Snyder, TX. She graduated from Snyder High School in 1961. She met the love of her life that same year on a second attempt at a blind date. She later married her love, Melvin Byrd, in 1963 and moved to Lubbock, TX where they began their life together. Early in their marriage, Barbara and Melvin felt called to be foster parents. They fostered many children and have two adopted children of their own. After college, Barbara and Melvin lived in Aberdeen, WA; Floydada, TX; Port Orchard, WA; and Bellevue, NE. They eventually returned to Port Orchard, WA in 1986 where they spent the next 37 years. They considered the Pacific Northwest their home.
Barbara devoted her life to loving God, creating a home for her family, and serving others. Her journey encompassed many roles: wife, mother, sister, grandmother, friend, camp cook, curriculum developer, mentor to new moms, Sunday school teacher, master gardener, preacher’s wife, hospitality host, and avid genealogist. Barbara could make something out of nothing. She was a master “couponer”, a frugal cook, and a gifted event and birthday planner. When the occasion warranted, she would seek out ways to support her family’s needs through extra work and trade for services.
Barbara was kind, thoughtful, sensitive, dutiful, and faithful to God, family, and friends. She showed her children the importance of family, love, compassion, empathy, humility, and grace. She did not need the limelight. She did not like to call attention to herself but her life lessons and influence are felt every day in the lives of those who loved her. She will be greatly missed. We love you mom!
Barbara had a heart for missions and children; as a young woman, she dreamed of going to Africa. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Roy and Kathi Merritt through the
Zambia Mission Fund
Final farewells will be held at the Port Orchard church of Christ, 4135 Carr Lane SE, Port Orchard, WA on June 29, 2023. Public viewing begins at 3:00pm with Life Celebration following at 4:00pm. Live stream of events available at the
Port Orchard church of Christ YouTube channel