Mary Sue Byrd

Sue Pearson Byrd, 80, of Whitesburg, passed away Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at Morristown Hamblen Healthcare System.  She was a member of Catherine Nenney Baptist Church in Whitesburg where she taught the Adult Ladies Sunday School class for almost 19 years.  This was the happiest time of her life and having to give it up due to health reasons was hard for her to do.  She was preceded in death by her parents, W.O. (Judge) and Ida Pearson.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ralph Byrd; special daughter, Ginger R. Byrd and fiancée Kevin Crigger whom she loved like a son; brother, Bill Pearson of Morristown; cousins, Danny Pearson of Moore, OK, John D (Anna) Pearson of Tazewell, Tn., and a host of special friends.

She worked at the Russellville Post Office for 37 years, serving those years as clerk and more than 24 years as Postmaster.  She is the longest serving Postmaster in Hamblen County.

She enjoyed studying the Bible, sewing, knitting and crocheting.  She loved to donate baby quilts to Children’s Hospital, Morristown Fire Department, Pregnancy Crisis Center, Rose Center Quilters Guild and other organizations.  She demonstrated quilting at several local festivals –also displaying her quilts where she  won numerous ribbons; including Rose Center, Gray Fair, and Townsend Fall Festival.  She also learned to cane the old straight back chairs where she demonstrated at Rose Center, Jefferson City Old Timers Day and Townsend Fall Festival.  She also taught classes at Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton, Tn.  She hand quilted over 100 bed quilts which many people are enjoying today.  Some of her baby quilts have gone as far as Alaska.

Sue loved to cook for her family as well as sharing with loved ones.  She was a devoted wife and loving mother.  She touched many lives in so many ways.  Due to health reasons, over the last few years, she had to give up many of her hobbies.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 24, 2017 in the East Chapel of Allen Funeral Home prior to the service at 2:00 with Reverend Odell Davidson presiding.  Interment will follow in Hamblen Memory Gardens.

Allen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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