Neller Jean Byers

Obituary Neller Jean Byers was born August 4, 1937 in Solgohachia, Arkansas, she was the youngest child born to the union of Pinkney and Little (Cooper) Brown Hemphill. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father Oliver Hemphill; three brothers: Curtis, Issac (IJ), Harold (HD) five sisters; Opal, Lola, Erma Lee, Hazel and Ruby. She received her education in the Conway, County Arkansas School System, graduating in 1955 from Conway County Training School in Menifee, Arkansas. She was quiet and small in stature but when she hit the basketball court, she was one of the best. Neller joined in holy matrimony in 1956 to the love of her life, Jonas Byers and this union was blessed with three loving and devoted daughters. The Byers family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri in 1965, where she was a homemaker. She loved spending time with her family, whether it was at the dinner table enjoying delicious meals or traveling the states. "Jean" as she was affectionately known by most, has traveled all 50 states as well as abroad. Family dinners after church on Sunday at the Byers home became a tradition that is still carried out to this day, for over 30 years. She was well known for her cooking and giving good advice. As stated earlier, she had a quiet spirit but when she spoke people listened and if you didn’t want to hear the truth she wasn’t the person to ask because she was going to tell you the truth, not what you wanted to hear. Neller Jean confessed and accepted Christ at an early age at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Solgohachia, Arkansas, where she remained a member until relocating to Kansas City, Missouri. She then joined Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ under the leadership of the late Reverend Earl Abel and now Reverend James Watkins. She was a faithful member and enjoyed her Sunday school class, where she served as secretary until her health failed. She received an award for “Mother of the Year” on Mother’s Day in 1996, although she only had three biological children, she was a mother of many because of the way she carried herself. Neller Jean was often approached by family and church members expressing how they look up to her as a role model. Neller Jean also enjoyed gardening, if you passed her home in the spring or summer months you would most likely find her in the yard doing something. Strangers and neighbors would often stop and comment on her yard and plants. Jean was well known by many as the hat lady, if you were blessed with her presence outside of her home you were going to see a hat on her head. With that being said, today we tip our hats to you, Neller Jean Byers. She is survived byer her very loving and devoted husband of 62 years, Jonas Byers; three daughters Debroah (Ronald) Lewis, Sherry Byers and Vivian (Curtis) Goldman, two grandchildren; Curtis III and Courtney Goldman, a step daughter Shayla Goldman, a play daughter, Doris Lee, four sisters in law; Georgia Brown, Viola Garlington, Rosie Holloway and Doris Byers, two brothers in law; Scipio (Barbara) Byers and Henry Rainey, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 19, 2019 at Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ. Visitation 9:00 A.M. Interment Twelve Gates Memorial Gardens. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Neller Jean Byers, please visit our floral store. Read More

Neller Jean Byers

August 4, 1937 - April 11, 2019