Mrs. Beatrice Byrd

Beatrice Long Byrd was born February 21, 1930, in Pine City, Arkansas, to Julia and Tecumseh long. She lived in Arkansas until she was 13 years old after which the family moved to Kansas City, Kansas. It was in Arkansas that she was introduced to Jesus Christ, and she accepted Him as her Lord and Savior when she was 21 years old. She was baptized at Antioch Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas. Beatrice’s faith was the foundation of her life. She called on the Lord for help and guidance throughout her life. She instilled her beliefs about God and Jesus in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She was thankful for the Lord’s love and mercy. She gave Him glory for keeping her all her 94 years. She attended public school in Arkansas and Kansas City. She worked at different restaurants, Savoy Grill, and Pooch8ie’s 210 as a cook. It was there that she learned, all her excellent cooking skills, especially her baking skills. All that knew Beatrice, saw a sparkle and a zest for life. Her smile was genuine. She was warm, giving, and had had a sense of humor even when she didn’t mean to be humorous. She was devoted to her family and friends. She was direct and you always know where she stood on an issue. Her commitment to doing a job well was a lifelong example to her children. She and Johnnie B. Byrd, the love of her life, were a fantasist team, they worked together in Antioch Baptist Church in the Sunday School, Deacon, and Deaconess Board, Mission Department, Vacation Bible School, BPU, and other church activities, and events. They also served as leaders of the Byrd, Carr, and Moye Family Reunion for many years. Working together, they farmed neighborhood plots and shared the produce with family, and friends. Caring for neighborhood, and community individuals was important to Beatrice. She was very involved with her children’s schools and PTAs, and their extracurricular activities, such as Yates YWCA, Bluebirds, and Campfire Girls, and Boy Scouts, and baton twirling. She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie B. Byrd; parents, Tecumseh; and Julia Long, and siblings, Hiawatha Long; Dionysus Long; Montique Brown; Burnis Long; Willa Rose Long; Leona Byrd (daughter-in-law); and Eugene P. Gipson (son-in-law). She is survived by her children, Phyllis Gipson; Arlene Shorter (Tony); Gail Byrd; and Jonnie Byrd Jr.; grandchildren, Erica Cade; Ebony DeSouze; EJ Gibson (April); Quincy Byrd; Michael Thompson; Titus Thompsson; DeJesus Thompson; Andre Byrd; Chanteau Byrd; and Raymond Shorter; 17 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild; sibling, Bernice Johnson (Paul); Tecumseh Long Jr.; and Curtis Long (Marilyn); a host of nieces, nephews, and friends; her 91 year old aunt, Louise Henderson of Chicago, Illinois; and Byrd in laws, Mary Collins; Willie “Bill” Byrd (Susie); Alex Byrd; Jim Byrd; Earl Byrd; (Trudy); special sons, The Rev. Earnest Hegwood; and Greory Moore. Funeral Services will be held on ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬Thursday January 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Antioch Baptist Church 13 25 Quindaro Blvd. KCKS 66104 Interment: Leavenworth National Cemetery on Friday January 10, 2025. Visitation: 10-11:00 a.m. at the Church. Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapels. Condolence may be shared on our website lawrenceajones.com

Mrs. Beatrice Byrd

February 21, 1930 - December 27, 2024