Agnes Byrd

Agnes Jenkins Byrd was born February 1, 1920, in Greer County Oklahoma, near Dean, and died March 8, 2017.  In 1938 she married Claude Byrd.  Claude died in 1993 after 55 years of marriage.  She was preceded in death by her parents, John William Jenkins and Mansie Jones Jenkins; a son, Gary Bruce Byrd; three brothers, Buster Jenkins, Jack Jenkins, Leo Jenkins; and two sisters, Zetta Jenkins and Merle Jenkins.  She is survived by one son, Forrest Mickey Byrd, Ph.D., LaFayette, LA., and two granddaughters, Claudia Michele Byrd and Catherine Byrd; and five great grandchildren.
She moved to Elk City, OK, and in 1955 the family moved to Lubbock, TX. In 1957 she completed her LPN requirements at West Texas Hospital under the mentoring of Mrs. Lattimore. She began her career at Drs. Gordon, King, and Arrington becoming both assistant to and friend of Dr. Joe Arrington. After she retired, she became a hospice volunteer and took great pleasure in delivering Meals on Wheels, often remarking that if she could give one or more persons a day of dignified living, which was reward enough.
She was active in church work for more than 75 years believing in the notion that it is better to give than to receive. Although she saw herself as a most ordinary person, perhaps proud of being so, no sons ever had a better mother, no husband a better wife; simply an ordinary member of Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation.”