Lucille Matilda Byrd

Lucille Matilda (Lewis) Byrd, formally of Beltsville Maryland was born on November 30,1934 to the late Earl Lewis and Helena Lucille (Crump)Gilbert at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington DC.  On the early morning of March 26, 2021 her address was changed by her Heavenly Father.

“Little Lucille", as she was affectionately referred to by her family, attended the one room school located around the corner from her home and often talked about the fun times she had walking to and from school with family. Later she attended St Francis Academy in Baltimore, MD before transferring to Fairmount Heights High School in Capital Heights.  In 1952, she became a member of the school’s first graduating class. Lucille went on to attend Morgan State College and later the Cortez Peters Business School.

While in high school Lucille met the love of her life, George A. Byrd Jr. Upon his return from serving in the Korean War they were wed on December 1,1956. Together they raised seven children. They enjoyed family time which included trips to the beach, eating crabs (her favorite pastime), family card games, parties, and cookouts.

Mama chose to be home raising her children until her youngest began first grade. She took great pride in being able to attend school functions, serve on the PTA, as well as be a substitute teacher. She became the neighborhood mother whose house was always full of her “other children” and her dinner table was always open to others.
 

Mama began working as a Quality Assurance Specialist for Arbitron Inc retiring in 1996. After retirement she continued to work part time at US Remodeling Inc often receiving recognition for her excellent performance.

Caring for others was always important to Mama. She found great joy in babysitting her grandchildren and later in life became a private care giver for Linda Marshall for several years.

Mama was raised in the Catholic Church and in 1969 she moved her membership to First Baptist Church of Fairmount Heights where she was baptized. She took great pride in serving on the church’s Nurse’s Unit. After moving back to Beltsville, Mama joined Queens Chapel UMC in 2002. Mama enjoyed working with the United Methodist Woman serving on the membership committee. Mama was honored to be approached by Rev B. Kevin Smalls to form “The Comforting Angels Unit” which served families during homegoing services.

Those who knew her knew that she was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan often seen on game day in her Dallas gear.

Mama’s memory will be cherished and missed by many. She is survived by her loving and devoted children, Patricia (Donovan), Steven (Cheryl), Donna (Kenneth), Kerry, Dionne (Ruben), Kim (Gregory) and George III, twenty grandchildren, twenty four great grandchildren and one great -great grandchild and one brother- Joseph R. Conway, two sister-in-law's T. Joanne West (Delma) and Beverley White, two brother-in-law's, Carlton Byrd and Norman Byrd Sr; one goddaughter Robin Stevens and one godson Sean Ross and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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