Elizabeth Byrd

ELIZABETH GRACE BYRD MARCH 7,1962--NOVEMBER 7, 2010 Elizabeth Byrd passed away, after a brief illness, Sunday, Nov. 7, at North Florida Regional in Gainesville, FL. Elizabeth was born in Gainesville, March 7, 1962. As a child, she lived in Oregon, Florida, Texas, Mobile, AL and then Auburn, AL, where she graduated from high school. She attended Auburn University, but graduated from the University of Florida wth a BA in Social Work; she then received a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Florida State University. Elizabeth worked for various social agencies both as a therapist and administrator, but her love was counseling. It was her calling and her gift. At the time of her death, she was working as a therapist with Family Medical and Dental Centers in Keystone Heights,FL. Elizabeth lived her life with an intensity and exhuberance that are indeed rare. Adventurous, eager for knowledge and experience, Elizabeth was not only interesting to talk to, but exciting and wonderful to be with. She was tireless--last to bed and first one up; she loved traveling and loved all kinds of people. She would readily, without any qualms at all, go home with a new "friend," sit down in the kitchen and enjoy with great relish, whatever was served. Her rich sense of humor was one of her wonderful qualities She saw humor everywhere, and no more in others than in herself. She always wanted to be a good dancer, but never felt that she was; however, she would at any moment--and often on request--jump up and dance her hilarious combination of Buck Dance and Irish Jig, until the entire room would be roaring with laughter. She was a perfect mimic, always performing some comedy routine to the delight of her audience, whoever they might be. Elizabeth loved Nature-enjoyed hiking, canoeing--and was ready to swim anywhere, be it pond, lake, ocean or the freezing waters of the Maine coast. She adored animals, she was a passionate fisherwoman, salt-water and fresh; she enjoyed looking for antiques and owned many interesting and unique collections. Her taste in music covered so many genres--from the lonesomest, twangiest, most sorrowful country songs to Rap--Elizabeth was a devotee. All of this she was, but she also had a remarkable depth of insight and understanding; she was a woman of profound thought, and a great lover of books and poetry. Elizabeth read the Bible through at least three times and maybe more. She was a very spiritual person with a deep and abiding faith in God. Elizabeth studied and staunchly stood for equal rights for all people. She took pride in her convictions and never backed away from her causes. She marched in both Tallahassee and N.Y.C. for Women's Rights; she marched in Gainesville for Gay Rights; she was on the Democratic committee for her county and was a delegate several state Democratic conventions. One of her happiest times was when she and her mother marched across the Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL, with Barack Obama and Hillary and Bill Clinton. Elizabeth Byrd was an adoring Mother, a cherished daughter, a beloved sister and sister-in-law and the most fun aunt ever. She was a respected colleague, and a good friend. She brought the spark of life to every room she entered, and she brought great joy to all who loved her. And that joy and that strong and sweet spirit that was Elizabeth will remain in our hearts and in our precious memories forever. Elizabeth was pre deceased by her daughter Jessica Elizabeth. (Jan. 2, 2010) She is survived by her parents, William A. and Carol T. Byrd of Auburn, AL; her brothers W. Andrew Byrd of Tallahassee, FL and Adam T. Byrd and much-loved sister-in-law Tanya A. Byrd of Auburn; her niece and nephews Ellie, Will and Drew Byrd; her dear grandmother, Mickey Tucker of Auburn, and her very dear friend, Debbie Tucker of Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in her memory to The Auburn Foundation, indicating they are for the Elizabeth G. Byrd Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Social Work. Kindly mail them to: The College of Liberal Arts Office of Development 317 Biggin Hall Auburn, AL 36849 Funeral services for Elizabeth will be held Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:30am at the First United Methodist Church, 419 NE 1st Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. There will be a visitation on Thursday evening from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Forest Meadows Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the care of FOREST MEADOWS FUNERAL HOME and CEMETERIES. 725 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville, FL 32609, (352)378-2528. Please sign Elizabeth's guestbook at www.forestmeadowsfh.com