DEBBIE GEIGER BYRD

Debbie Geiger Byrd Thursday, September 22, 2011, our dear, sweet and much loved Debbie lost her 20 plus year battle with cancer. Michael, Natalie, Ronald and Jill were there loving her when she passed. Before she left this world she made a tremendous positive impact on everyone who knew her. We will dearly miss her. Visitation will start at 12:00 PM with the funeral service at 2:00 PM, Friday September 30, 2011 in the Clearman Chapel at Southern Heritage Funeral Home with Chaplin Eddie Biss and Reverend Van Clack officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery next to her much loved daughter, Kasey Byrd, who died in an auto accident December 23, 2001. Serving as Pall Bearers will be: Brian Davis, Aaron Gartlin, Nicky Smith, Terry Cobb, Allen Hinson and Anthony Wilson. Serving as Honorary Pall Bearers will be: Dr. Tony Dollar, Dr. Paul Lennicx and Dr. Mohammed Hassan. Debbie was born in Dothan, AL to the late Robert Clyde Geiger and Lillie Pearl Bruce Geiger. She lived most all her life in the Dothan area. She leaves behind and will be greatly missed by those who loved her, including her son, Michael McGowan, Dothan, daughter Natalie Byrd (Matt Merritt), Newnan, GA, step-son Jeremy Byrd (Tish), Marianna, FL, her grandsons, Robert Sidney "Beau" McGowan and Michael Patrick McGowan, and granddaughter, Hadleigh Sophia Merritt, a sister Glenda (Bud) McInnis, Dothan, brother Jimmy ( Suzanne), Rehobeth. Her very close dear friend, Ronald Smith and his family, Dothan area. Aunt, Frances Bruce Granberry, Uncle Durwood Bruce, many loving cousins, and other family members, Jill Patterson and family, Kathy Bujalski and her riding buddies. She was preceded in Death by her parents, Clyde and Pearl Bruce Geiger, sister, Jeanene Stremski (Ken), and her brother Bobby Geiger. She was encouraged to become a dental hygienist by the late Dr. John Davis, whom she worked with for seven years. She was a lifelong member of Calvary Baptist Church. Her life was built around serving her family, patient's, spending as much time as possible with her horses and riding buddies. Another enjoyable pastime was working on her miles and miles of riding trials. Through all her adversities with cancer, starting in 1988, she maintained a very positive attitude, always looking forward, never complaining. It was noted by one of her Dr's he had never had a patient that fought so hard and was as positive as Debbie. She continued to show people what "True Grit" was all about. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, Attention Memorial Chair, 134 Quarrles Court Ozark, Alabama 36360 Southern Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, (334) 702-1712, is in charge of arrangements. www.southernheritagefh.com Please sign a guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.