Patsy Lois Cowan Byrd

Mrs. Patsy Lois Cowan Byrd of Ponce de Leon, Fla., passed away Saturday, April 7, 2007m at Wiregrass Medical Center after a long illness. She was 65.

Funeral services will 10 a.m. today in the chapel of Pittman Funeral Home in Geneva with the Rev. Tom Whiddon officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Ida Methodist Church Cemetery.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Mt. Ida Methodist Church, in care of Mrs. Linda Leavins, 2026 Sherwood Ln, Westville, FL 32464 or to Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge, 1104 Ireland Way, Birmingham, AL 35205.

Patsy was born Feb. 22, 1942, to Augusta K.C. "Buster" Cowan and Geraldine Boswell Cowan. She was her daddy's little girl and her mother describes her as being a good child that never gave them any problems.

Patsy attended Geneva schools grades 1-12. While in high school she was a member of the Math Club, French Club, Glee Club, Future Homemakers of America, annual staff, pep squad reporter and Beta Club Vice President. Patsy was also voted Most Intellectual Girl by her senior class. She graduated in 1960 and was an honor student.

After high school Patsy attended Westminster College in Tehuacana, Texas, from fall of 1960 until she graduated in spring of 1962. While at Westminster, Patsy was a member of the Westminster Choir. She graduated magna cum laude with an Associates degree.

Upon graduating from Westminster College, Patsy attended Central Wesleyan in Central, S.C., from fall of 1962 until she graduated in spring of 1964. She again graduated magna cum laude and with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She worked in the dining hall; was voted Most Intellectual; and was described as, "Elegant as simplicity and warm as ecstasy."

In the fall of 1964, Patsy began teaching english at Ponce De Leon High School in Ponce de Leon, Fla. During her first year she attended Troy State University to take the courses required to receive her teaching certificate. During that year, she met Hilton Byrd who she would later marry. During the 65-66 school year, Patsy would transfer to Vernon High School and teach English there only one year before returning back to Ponce de Leon High School during the 1966-67 school year. On Dec. 19, 1965, Patsy married Hilton Byrd. One year later she had her first son, Phillip David Byrd, on Dec. 1, 1966. Her second son, Stephen Paul Byrd, was born on Sept. 11, 1969. In 1975-1977, Patsy attended University of West Florida and took courses with an emphasis in communication arts. She received the educational media specialist (pre-k through 12) certificate from the Florida Department of Education and would become the librarian at Ponce de Leon High School in 1977. She also held certificates in social science grades 5-9 and a middle endorsement 5-9. Patsy was an educator 38 years in the Florida education system, retiring in 2002. While at Ponce de Leon High School she served as an English teacher, librarian/media specialist, junior class sponsor, cheerleading sponsor, SCA advisor, and a silver (25 year) member of Alpha Delta Kappa.

Patsy has attended Mt. Ida Congregational Methodist Church all of her life. She has served the church in many capacities. She has served as the pianist, adult Sunday school teacher, CMTH teacher (where she trained the junior quiz team to a first place finish at the Georgia quiz team competition in their first year of competing), started and taught the young adult Sunday school class. Under her leadership the young adult Sunday school class has raised and donated more than $5,000, to individuals in the New Hope Community and the Congregational Methodist Church. Because of her dedication to Mt. Ida and the Congregational Methodist Church, she received the Nona Hill Sunday School Teacher of the Year Award for the Congregational Methodist Church Denomination. She has served on many committees; attended and served at numerous conferences; and has always been there to help plan, cook and clean for church activities. Patsy has also worked at the West Florida Camp run by the Florida Annual Conference of the Congregational Methodist as a counselor, cook, chauffeur, lifeguard, banker and grounds keeper. She has devoted her life to spreading the word of God, helping those in need and lifting up all those that she comes in contact with.

H. Jackson Brown Jr. wrote, "Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you." Patsy Cowan Byrd is this example to her children, her family, her students and all those that she came in contact with. She cares and loves with all that she is.

Preceding Patsy in death was her father, Augusta K.C. "Buster" Cowan.

Survivors include her husband of 41 years, Curtis Hilton Byrd of Ponce de Leon; her two boys, Phillip David and Stephen Paul Byrd both of Geneva; her mother, Geraldine Boswell Cowan of Geneva; three brothers, James Cowan of Geneva; Tommy Cowan and his wife, Glenda of Geneva; and Paul Cowan and his wife, Rosemary of South Bend, Ind.; several nieces and nephews and brothers and sisters-in-law.

Pittman Funeral Home in Geneva, (334) 684-2600, is in charge of arrangements. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.