Cathey Jean McDaniel Byrd

Cathey Jean McDaniel Byrd, 61, of Gosnell, passed from this life on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. She was born to Johnnie and Lillian Lavern (York) McDaniel in Blytheville, where she was a lifelong resident. Cathey was the office manager for the Mississippi County Road Department and a member of the Lone Oak Baptist Church, along with being a member of Mary’s Chapel Baptist Church for many years prior.

Cathey was a devoted Christian who worked tirelessly in her churches, where she had served as a Sunday school teacher and was also very involved in the women’s groups. Her devotion to doing God’s work was an inspiration to many and helped many people during their time of need. Cathey was a lady of strength, courage, honesty and compassion. She used these qualities to nurture others she came in contact with; to meet their needs and care for them. These same qualities were also used in her family. She used these qualities to set an example of living a Christian life and to be there for her family; her love for family was only exceeded by her love for God. She was a woman of prayer and faith, believing that God would meet the needs of others and that His will would be done. Cathey’s humor and gentleness will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Cathey was preceded in death by her parents; brother, William “Bub” Miller; and sister, Pearl York.

Cathey is survived by her husband, Terry Glynn Byrd Sr., along with all of their children, Terry Byrd Jr. and his spouse Jaclyn, Tiffany Byrd and her spouse Larry, Jonathan Byrd, Sylvia Lawson and her spouse Patrick, Kayla Kimery and her spouse Josh, and Brandy Clark and her spouse Darren, as well as her bonus children, Travis Scissell, James Raney, and Isaac Cruz. Alongside her children, she left behind a total of 24 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Deborah Warren and Vickie Camp, Vickie's husband Mike, and her brothers, Billy and Danny Miller.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 19, at 10:30 a.m. in the Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mitchell King, Jr. and Rev. Ricky Brothers officiating. Burial will be held in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time at Cobb Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.