Linda Byrd

Linda Bond Byrd GLADE SPRING, Va. Linda Bond Byrd, 72, passed away at her home on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. She was born on Nov. 27, 1937, the daughter of the late Earnest Lee Bond Sr. and Clarice Smith Bond of Fries, Va. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant son, Timothy Curtis Byrd. Linda graduated from Fries High School in 1955 and received her bachelor of arts from Emory & Henry College in 1971. She later received her masters of education from the University of Virginia in 1975. Linda was an educator in the Washington County School System for 29 years. After her retirement in 1999, she, along with a group of other retired teacher, friends and school staff, created Hands On Helpers, a charity for school age children in need, as an extension of her love for children and education. She was also a licensed contractor, real estate agent and served on numerous boards and committees in the community over the years. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Linda had a love for life and for traveling, visiting all 50 states and 64 countries. Her generosity and kindness knew no bounds. Linda is survived by her husband of 54 years, Charles Byrd; son and daughter-in- law, Tony and April Byrd of Glade Spring, Va.; two very special grandchildren, Kelli DelSorbo and husband Jayson of Raleigh, N.C., Cory Byrd and wife Katie of Christiansburg, Va.; great-granddaughter, Ella DelSorbo of Raleigh, N.C.; two brothers, Jerry Bond and wife Nippy of Fries, Junior Bond and wife Billie of Fries; three sisters, Shirley Griffin and husband Wayne of Fries, Helen Lyons and husband Roger of Fries, Darlene Rowland and husband Steve of Glade Spring; as well as several special nieces and nephews; lots of friends; and her extended family of Terry Hlawna, Karen Hlawna, and their daughters, Stella and Flora of Vienna, Austria. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Forrest Swan and the staff of Cancer Outreach, Dr. Emory Robinette, Home Nursing Company and Hospice, and the CCU staff and 5th floor staff at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Funeral services for Linda Byrd will be conducted on Wednesday evening, Oct. 20, 2010, at 8 p.m. at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon, Va., with the Rev. Paul Griffith and Rev. David St. Clair officiating. The family will receive friends at Farris Funeral Service from 5 until 7:45 p.m. Wednesday. Committal services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Serenity Gardens Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon. Those wishing to attend are asked to assemble at Farris Funeral Service by 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Pallbearers will be Dennis Owens, Dr. Lee Brannon, Wayne Austin, Tim Webb, Gene Moser, Prince Coleman, David Scyphers and Steve Lester. Honorary pallbearers will be Ted Price, Dr. Temple Goodman, Hammond Hunt, Dr. John Ballein, Mitch Jones and Keith Nunley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hands On Helpers, c/o Betty Tolley, P.O. Box 493, Glade Spring, VA 24340. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. Arrangements for Mrs. Linda Byrd are under the care of Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 276-623-2700.