Margaret Byrd

The Lord called home Margaret Smith Byrd on April 5, 2021. She was born on August 8, 1937, in Statesboro, Georgia, to Ocea and Eunice Rich Smith. After graduating from William James High school, she met and married Leroy Byrd. Soon after her marriage to Leroy Byrd, she moved to Dayton, Ohio and eventually raised a family.

Margaret Byrd pursued a degree in Sociology, and graduated from Central State University in 1978. During that time, she became a member of Eta Phi Beta Sorority and later was honored by being elected President. Margaret worked for Montgomery County Community Action Agency, assisting and supporting the community at large. Margaret enjoyed helping others as it was her passion as well as cooking, in which she loved to show off her skills during and family gatherings. Margaret loved the Lord and became a member of the Mt. Olivet Church of God in Christ, under the Pastorship of Ozell Northern, Sr.

She was always a quiet, kind and gentle woman, who was active in her church and for many years she served faithfully on the Mothers' Board of the church. Because she believed in salvation she would witness to others about her Lord and Savior. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Ocea and Eunice Smith, her sisters, Evelyn Greene, Betty Spivey, Almarita Smith, Emogene Pendergrass and Annabelle Smith; a brother, Warnell Smith; son-in-law Derrick Armstrong; and granddaughter in-law, Dr. Asia Armstrong.

Margaret was a loving, kind, devoted mother; those left to cherish her memory are: Charles Byrd (Debbie), (Jonesboro, Georgia) Christie Armstrong (Columbus, Ohio), Christopher Byrd (Columbus, Ohio) Charlene Sealy (Rex, Georgia), Carl Byrd (Dayton, Ohio) Calandra Byrd (Dayton, Ohio) and Lisa Byrd, (Dayton, Ohio). She was the grandmother to Darius Armstrong, Shannon Byrd, Derian Armstrong (Shaindal), Porche Sealy, DeLante Byrd, Xavier Byrd, Demetrius Byrd, Brittany Norman, DeMicheal Tigner, Devon Tigner, Daveion Byrd, Tywan Harris, Byrd and Tierra Gamble. Her sisters, Mary Smith (Dayton, Ohio), Dorothhy Simmons (Statesboro, Georgia), Patricia Hunter (Statesboro, Georgia), and her brother, Ocea Smith, Jr. (Fort Campbell, Tennessee). A host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Newcomer North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Rd., Dayton, Ohio.


The state of Ohio is under a mandatory mask order and has required that face masks be worn in all public places.

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