Mildred W. Byers

1920 - 2009

BORN

1920

DIED

2009

Mildred Byers Obituary

Mildred Woods Byers, born in Penelope, Texas, on May 12, 1920 to Brice and Jimmie Woods, passed away November 10, 2009, at the home of her daughter Judy Johnson in Clarkston, WA.
The oldest of five children, she was raised in Texas, Southern California and on the family farm in Delta, UT, graduating from Delta High School in 1938. In the fall of 1938 she enrolled at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT it was there where she met the love of her life Louis Byers. They were married on September 16, 1939, a marriage that lasted until the death of Louis 56 years later in 1995. Mildred moved with her new husband to Lamoille, NV in 1939 where they raised five children. They lived in Lamoille and Elko until 1982 when they moved to Caldwell, ID.
While living in Lamoille and Elko Mildred was very active in many community organization and events, including Lamoille Presbyterian Church, teaching Sunday School and playing the organ, Lamoille Mizpah Society, Lamoille Women's Club, Lamoille 4-H as a leader, Lamoille Steak Fry, Calvary Baptist Church, Elko County Art Club. VFW Women's Auxiliary.
She as an accomplished artist working with oil, watercolor, pastels, and other mediums. Her treasured paintings hang in many homes around the country and the Northeastern Nevada Museum. After her children were grown she became involved in caring for foster children and took many of them into her home where they were cared for as if they were her own children.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son, James and brother Harold. She is survived by her children Jerry of Lamoille; John of Elko; Judy Johnson of Clarkston, WA; Janet Fitzpatrick, Weare, NH; foster daughter Julie Crawford, Murphy, NC; brother Jeff Woods, Fayetteville, AR; sisters Helen Gerzabek, Albany, OR and Ruth Schooling, Paradise, CA. 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at Burns Funeral Home on Monday, November 16 at 10 a.m. and a Memorial Service will be held in Caldwell, Idaho, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Northeastern Nevada Museum or a charity of the donor's choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Elko Daily from Nov. 17 to Dec. 17, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Mildred Byers

4 Entries

Samuel O

December 15, 2009

What an extraordinary woman she was! Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss as you celebrate a life well lived. The bible's promises are certainly encouraging. In Isaiah 25:8 it shows that one day "God will actually swallow up death forever." What a wonderful day that will be! Our condolences go out to the entire family.

Sylvia Byers

December 5, 2009

Im deeply sadened to hear the passing away of Mildred. Every year since i was knee high at Christmas, i would watch out for the post for her beautiful Christmas card. I was only two when she came to ireland. on behalf of my Mother and Father and Family i offer our condolences. The Byers Family, Ballyjamesduff, Cavan Ireland.

Linda Stapley

November 17, 2009

Louis and Mildred were such stalwart members of the Lamoille Church and the community. I remember the day I interviewed them for the church history book marking its 100th anniversary. I had the recorder all set up to transcribe later and for a whole hour they talked about the "old days" of the church. It wasn't until later that I realized I forgot to turn on the recorder. Wow, was I embarrassed, but they graciously repeated everything they had already said, and even laughed about it. I'm sure there are a lot of adults who remember Mildred teaching their Sunday school class. When we celebrated the church's anniversary again in 2005, Mildred generously offered her painting of the church to hang in the Folklife Center in a display of church art work from various artists. She will surely be missed.
With love,

Linda Stapley

Julie Crawford

November 13, 2009

Mildred Byers was an extraordinary woman and my Mom. She and Louis took in a frightened sixteen year old girl who never new what it was to be truly loved, never knew what it was to have a real family and didn't really know Christ. She, along with the entire Byers family turned that all around. Though I only lived in their home for less than two years, it was the most wonderful thing that could have happened to me. They all took me under their wing and showed me what real love and family was all about. Also Mom brought me to Christ which was her greatest gift. I have kept in close contact through the years and will miss her greatly. But I know I will see her again, along with Dad and Jim. Thank you to the entire Byers family for the love and support you have given me. You all will always be my family and I love each and every one of you.

May God bless you all,

Julie & Ted Crawford
Murphy, NC

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