Saundra J. Byrd

Saundra Jean (Pass) Byrd 76, transitioned to be with the Lord on Friday February 7, 2025. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, to the late James H. and Viola (Owens) Pass.
Saundra was educated in the Asheville Public school system, she spoke highly of her Stephens-Lee High School experience. After her last child completed her second grade, Saundra would register and graduate with her Business Administration Degree from AB-Tech. Saundra went on to work for Carolina Power and Light (CP&L), for over 10 years, she achieved working in Managerial Positions throughout her Career. Saundra relocated back to Wayne,PA were she would use her business skills as an Tax accountant for ACME Markets Corporation in Malvern, PA. Saundra contributed to the ACME Market Corp family, by assisting in their out reach in collecting clothes for "Wings for Success", an organization that collects clothes for individuals entering the business profession that may not have business attire. Saundra would later retire from ACME Markets.
Saundra enjoyed sewing, she would make her daughter's Easter dresses, and made sure their hair was slayed as well. In her spare time Saundra loved to do hair, that passion led her to obtain her Cosmetology license from Gordon Beauty School in Upper Darby,PA.
Saundra enjoyed road trips with her 5 children to see her late sister Joyce, Aunt Erlease and cousin Joanne in Wayne, PA. She would also travel to Florida to visit with her brother Lamont and family. On any given weekend Saundra enjoyed taking care packages to her youngest Sister Caron at College. Later she would often visit her Step Mother Ethel, and Sister Minnie in Greenville, SC.
Although Saundra lost her biological parents she was blessed to have an Adoptive Family to call her own. John Mack and Kathleen Holloway, would take her and her kids in to raise along with their children and grand children, and would not except anything less than acknowledging them as apart of the " Holloway" family. As being apart of the Holloway family would include weekend gatherings, for music, food, fun and laughter, as the children would model clothes, and the soul train line would be coordinated for everyone to participate.
Saundra made sure that her children were raised in church, as her " Daddy" Holloway would come every Sunday to take them with him to the "Hill Street Baptist Church", where each one of her kids would be baptized.
Saundra left Asheville, to relocate to the Wayne,PA area where she would continue to raise her younger children, and enjoy her late older Sister Joyce. Saundra joined the First Baptist Church of Wayne, under the Pastorate of the Late James W. Myles.
Saundra would meet and marry her best friend, William H.Byrd II (Bill). They enjoyed entertaining their kids, grand-kids, friends and family in the backyard. After the passing of her Husband Bill, Saundra relocated to Clarksville, TN, with her Son James, Ruthenia, and Melissa. They all joined the Greater Missionary Baptist Church under the Pastorate of Willie J. Freeman. Saundra took pride in serving on the Out reach, and Expecting Mother's ministry, and Senior Choir.
Saundra amongst many titles treasured being called " Grandma". Just as she traveled with her kids she also took her Grandkids on road trips to visit family out of town. She would continue to travel back to Asheville, to visit her Holloway family, and also to the " Owens" Family reunions.
Saundra enjoyed sharing " her history" with her family, as she was reminded of the challenges of her Mother being discriminated against because of her " dark children", she shared the experience of getting on the bus with her Mother who was a very fair skinned lady. When she entered the bus her Mom was told that she had to go to the back of the bus with those "dark" children. Saundra's children will always have the memory of being awaken by on Saturday Mornings with the smell of pine-sol and Teddy Pendergrass, Barry White, or The Whisper's being played while she cleaned. Sunday Morning, would be the smell of breakfast and her favorite Gospel songs on, Shirley Ceasar, "I remember Momma", No Charge, Jesus Is Love The Commodores, and one of the fondest songs that she loved "Teddy Bear" by The Jackson Southernaires. Amongst life challenges Saundra continued to be a loving Mother, Sister, Aunt, Grandma, Great- Grandmom, Cousin and friend.
Saundra was diagnosed with Dementia, however you would still find her keeping up with the latest news, watching football, reading her daily word with her bible, word puzzles, and reading chapter books. Lastly the most painful experience she said "was 7 months ago watching her eldest daughter Ruthenia pass away."
Saundra leaves to cherish loving memories four children, James H.Pass II (Tanya), Melissa V. Pass, Darwin L.Pass, E.Joyce Robinson (Ruben). Siblings, Lamont Pass (Samantha), Caron Woods (Antoine). Aunts; Thelma (Owens) Fleming, Mary Luellen (Owens) Rita (Owens) Bradley.
Holloway Siblings, Johnsie Brome, Calethia McKnight, and George Holloway. Fifteen Grand Children,(5) Bonus. 20 Great-Grands, (2) Bonus. Special Cousins, Joanne Newman, Viola (Owens)Turner, Frank Owens Jr and Cynthia Washington, Tony Owens. Sister's In Love; Joan Byrd, and Jackie Byrd. A Host of Nieces, Nephews, and relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her Parents James and Viola (Owens) Pass, Husband William H. Byrd II. Sister, Joyce Y. Pass, Daughter, Ruthenia Y. Pass, Step Mother; Ethel Pass, Bonus Parents; John & Kathleen Holloway, Bonus Siblings, Maxine Neely, John Holloway Jr, Brother In Laws; Johnny, Eddie, Isiah, Henry Byrd.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wings for Success.
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