Demetra T. Byrd

Demetra Byrd, beloved by all who knew her, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 7, 2025. She is now eternally reunited with her parents, Nikolas and Panagiota Melaki; her sister, Lula Seraskeri; her husband, William Byrd; her son, Carl Anglin; her brother-in-law, MSgt. Ralph LaRochelle; and her nephew, Philip LaRochelle.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary Morris, and son-in-law, Baron Morris; her grandsons, Braiden and Nikolas Morris; her sister, Maria LaRochelle; and her nephew, Tom LaRochelle – along with many cousins, grand-nieces and nephews, dear friends, and neighbors, who will forever carry and cherish the light she brought into their lives.
Born on January 4, 1944, in Kalamaki, Greece, Demetra – "Toula," to family and friends – immigrated to the United States in the early 1960s, becoming a citizen in 1965. Fiercely proud of her heritage, she was involved in the Greek community in every city she lived, including as a card-carrying member of El Paso's "Hellenic Women's Club," a philanthropic group that raised money for various charities around El Paso. Every home she made was filled with the essence and the soul of her homeland.
Her lifelong love of baking brought her to Albertson's Bakery, first in El Paso, then later in San Antonio, and through hard work, along with her innate charisma and natural culinary talent, she rose to the role of manager. Yet, never one to stop growing, she made a bold career pivot in her 50s, choosing to pursue her dream of becoming a hairdresser. She earned her cosmetology license, and after years of working as a hairstylist, became the owner of her very own salon.
She was the embodiment of the American Dream: the little Greek girl who came to this country with nothing, took charge of her life, and built her own legacy out of strength, determination, and love.
Yet through the boldness of her spirit, it was life's simplest pleasures that brought her the most happiness: coffee dates with her "Greek Ladies", keeping up with her favorite soap operas, or shopping sprees at Marshall's. She was effervescent, with an infectious smile and a generous heart. She was everyone's confidant; the kind of friend who would welcome you into her home when you had nowhere else to go; the kind of person who would bake her doctor and her cable repairman homemade Greek cookies just to say "thank you." She was a devoted mother, and a doting yia yia to her grandsons.
She wanted to give her loved ones the world – and she did exactly that, with a life's worth of joy, laughter, and love. She will be missed more than words could ever express.
A Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 25, 2025 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North with a 6:00 pm Remembrance Service.
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 11:30 am at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.