Mary Byam

BYAM, Mary Louise Ferguson, much beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother "Gran Gran," departed this life on April 24, 2010 after a brave battle with cancer. She believed in the motto of the American Legion: "Service not self." That was shown in the 16 years and 11,896 "signed-in" hours of volunteering at Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Hospital, where she was the "much loved and respected" VAVS representative for the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Virginia. In addition to her work at the hospital, she was a member of the Colonial Heights American Legion Auxiliary Unit 284 for 19 years and unit president from 2001 to 2002. She was a past chapeau of the Richmond Salon #166 - 40/8. She was also a longtime member of the Bellwood Women's Club Defense Supply Center. She was an active member of the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church. She held many other chairs in many organizations; too many to list. She was born December 23, 1928 in Danville, Va., to Lacy E. and Katie Prather Ferguson. Preceding her in death were her husband, Lawrence T Byam (Lt. Col. U.S. Army Ret.); her parents; one sister, Jewell Langston; and brother, Lloyd Ferguson. She is survived by two sisters, Evelyn Ramsdell and Violet Cox; two daughters, Shirley H Warren (Donnie Sr.) of Colonial Heights, Va., and Elaine Schichtle (George) of Haskell, Okla.; one son, Leroy Halstead; stepdaughters, Beth Mingloski (Scott) of Chesterfield, Va., and Amy Lequin (Jay) of Moseley, Va.; stepson, Larry T. Waymire of Laguna Miguel, Calif.; 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was thrilled to have had a special connection with one great-grandson, Jonathan Harrison Warren, from the day he was born. At the age of 11, he started volunteering with her at Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Hospital. He has volunteered there with her for the last six years. She passed on to him something very near and dear to her heart: volunteering and service to others. She was very much loved and will be missed, but her memory and the lessons she taught will continue through those she loved and those she served. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2010 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Home and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, with the Rev. Neil Wheeler officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 27, 2010 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060, the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060, and American Lung Association of Virginia, 9221 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23235. Interment will take place Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 1 p.m. in Arlington National Cemetery. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.



This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.