Ethel Befeld Byrne

ETHEL BEFELD BYRNE was born in Houston, Texas on August 16, 1920 to Julius and Elizabeth Befeld. She was one of nine children raised in Houston's East End on Blanche Street. Ethel joined her dearly departed son Rick in Heaven on May 13, 2009. Ethel raised three loving and generous children by herself before the term "single mother" became a part of our culture. Her son Rick had a special place in her heart as he had special needs. Ethel was married to and divorced from Frank Byrne of New Orleans. She worked as a grocery checker for Lewis and Coker for 21 years and truly enjoyed her customer and coworkers. Her family grew to six grandchildren and their spouses, 18 great grandchildren and their spouses, and 11 great-great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Ethel took pride in all of the joys, the accomplishments and the boundless love generated by her large family. Ethel is preceded in death by her parents, her eight siblings, her son Richard "Rick" Byrne, her ex-husband Frank, and her great-great granddaughter Rebecca Emmons. She is survived by her daughter Mary Elizabeth Michalek and son in law Jim Michalek; daughter Kathy Strickler and son in law Bobby Strickler as well as her grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. For the last three years Ethel lived at Alvin Healthcare Center and made many friends with the staff and residents there. Ethel's generosity and sense of humor will be missed by her family and friends. Visitation is Friday, May 15 from 5-8 in the evening at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale. Internment will be Saturday, May 16 at 2:30 at Forest Park Lawndale at the Chapel of Angels.