SMITHFIELD, Va. – Earline W. Byrd Allmond (Mother Byrd), 89, went to be with the Lord June 7, 2009 at 3:55 p.m. at the Autumn Care Nursing Home in Suffolk, Va., surrounded by family members. She was the last of seven children. Earline was born June 22, 1919 to the late Robert and Ada Williams. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized. She was educated in the Isle of Wight County school system. In 1937, she married the late Tony J. Byrd. To that union four children were born: Janice Byrd Burrell, Curtis L. Byrd, Charlotte Byrd Lee and Toni Byrd Diggs.
In 1980, she married the late Lewiston Allmond and gained four stepdaughters: Odell Turner, Frances Tynes, Irene Cameron and Sandra Allmond. She was a faithful member of the New Bethany UCC, where she held various positions for several years until her eyesight began to fail. She enjoyed and cherished time with her family and friends. Earline had many hobbies, such as crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, cross-stitching, and she loves singing in the church and work shop choirs. She also enjoyed writing and reading poetry. Earline leaves to cherish fond members her four children, Janice Burrell, of Hampton, Va., Curtis Byrd, of Bridgeport, Conn., Charlotte Lee (Rodney), of Springdale, Md., and Toni Diggs (Melvin), of Suffolk, Va.; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A funeral will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in New Bethany United Church of Christ, 15496 Benns Church Blvd., Smithfield, Va., with Pastor Douglas L. Jones Sr. presiding. Burial will be held at the church cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in Pretlow and Chapman Funeral Home, 638 W. Main St., Smithfield, Va.