Barbara Baye James Byrnes

Barbara Baye James Byrnes, at the age of 85, passed away on April 11, 2025. She was born in Sioux Falls, SD on August 23, 1939, and graduated from Washington High School. She attended the University of SD in Vermillion and received her Associate in Secretarial Science Degree. On campus, she was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. It was at the University that she met her future husband, William "Bill", on a blind date on a hayride - she was a freshman and he was a senior.
They were married in 1959, in Sioux Falls, SD. Bill had the final 9 months of his U.S. Army obligation to serve, so their honeymoon was a trip back to Ft. Huachuca, AZ. While on Post, Barb was an Executive Secretary to the Colonel in the Combat Surveillance and Avionics Department. They subsequently moved to Kansas City, MO, for a short time. Then they moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she was employed as an Administrative Assistant with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (a CPA firm) for 6 years.
While in Des Moines, Barb was active in the Jaycee-ettes, receiving the J.A.N.E. award for outstanding volunteer services and also served on the Board. She and Bill joined a dance club, volunteered with friends to usher at the local live theatre, and played cards.
Since 1967, they lived in Overland Park, KS. Barb was an Executive Secretary for 3 years for an insurance brokerage firm, an Administrative Assistant for a design-build corporation for 3 years, and since 1978, until her retirement in 2010, worked for two speaker bureaus as an Account Executive in securing speakers and entertainment for various client events.
Her interests included being President for two years for the Greater Kansas City Alpha Xi Delta alumni organization and holding many offices within the group, sang in the Christ Church choir and participated in many of the church activities, volunteer and PTA council member at her children's school. Barb volunteered at safe homes for women. She enjoyed garage and estate sales on weekends looking for gentle used coats, to donate to those in need. Barb's family was her greatest enjoyment.
Barb is survived by her son Brian (Sharla) Byrnes, and granddaughter, Regan; daughter Becky Hamill and grandson Brody; her two sisters, Mary (Stan) Mogck and Beverly (Larry) Volek. Preceded in death are her parents, and husband of over 53 years, Bill.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 24 at 1:00pm, at Christ Church Anglican, 5500 W. 91st St., Overland Park, KS 66207; burial to follow in the Church Garden; reception to follow in the Church.