Nell Earlene Byrd's Obituary
Earlene Davis August 19, 1927 – December 24, 2014 The Comfort and Sweetness of Peace After the clouds, the sunshine, after the winter, the spring, after the shower, the rainbow, for life is a changeable thing. After the night, the morning, bidding all darkness cease, after life’s cares and sorrows, the comfort and sweetness of peace. Helen Steiner Rice Our beloved Mama, Grandmama, Sister, Aunt was many things to a large family and the friends who loved her. To her children she was the one who gave unconditional love. Our earliest years were her happiest and she thrived as she cared for her “six children born in 7 1/2 years”. Our formative years, with her as our Mother, would be a gift to last a lifetime. She did the work Mother’s have done throughout time but, she offered more than what the less fortunate experience. She was gentle, sweet, and positive. She had many sayings to encourage and inspire; a favorite was, “can’t never could”, meant to give a boost to the child’s frequent, “I Can’t”. When there was an especially loud and frightening thunderstorm in the dark of night, she would allow all six children to pile into her double size bed, where we knew we would be safe. There were the nights, before bedtime, when we were in her bed as she showed us the “blue pages” of her Bible. Those were the pictures, with captions, that told the story of Jesus, on a child’s level. She took us to Sunday School and Church, every week, so that we would have a foundation of belief in a loving God, that would carry us through the trials arid tribulations of this life. She was a wonderful Mother and we all loved her very much. To others she was a beautiful, serene face, with a bright smile, an easy laugh and an outgoing personality. Of course, she absolutely loved singing and dancing! It gave her such joy throughout her life. To those of us close to her during the years of failing health, especially the loss of the use of her legs and eventually the remainder of her muscular system, she showed her capacity to endure tremendous hardship. In fact, she had endured much hardship in her life, and still, never became embittered. So, she faced this last and most difficult phase of her life with dignity and grace. The circumstances of her illness called upon her greatest gift, her deep reservoir of hope and faith. She rarely complained, and astonishingly, she never once expressed anger toward God or her Savior Jesus Christ. So, her last gift to her loved ones who witnessed this time, was a memory of her strength and inner beauty, her loving spirit. We must follow her example and meet all that is to come, the way she taught us. Last summer, when asked what she thought about life, she responded, “Life Is Good”. Now, our precious loved one is with her Heavenly Father. She is with her children gone too soon, and all other loved ones long ago passed. She is on a Sentimental Journey. What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; All that we love deeply, becomes a part of us. Helen Keller *************** EARLENE and ALBERT DAVIS Albert and Earlene married on November 19, 1948 I would like to share this story because I believe Our Heavenly Father whom our Mama has just united with played an intricate role in why our Dad’s life was spared in April of 1927. This is their story; in April, 1927 my Grandmother (Daddy’s mother) was expecting our Dad, Albert she was approximately two months pregnant. My Grandmother, Winnie Davis and my Grandfather, John Eric Davis was driving from Ft. Worth, Texas to Dallas. There was a car accident, my Grandfather died instantly however my Grandmother who was carrying our dad survived the car crash and went on to have birth to our dad in November, 1927. Eventually Mama and Daddy met in the summer of 1948 and three months later they were married. As the rest of this story goes they went on to have six children, which produced thirteen grandchildren and soon to be twelve great-grandchildren! The moral of this story as I see it, it doesn’t matter what life brings you; Our Heavenly Father is in Control. We all have a purpose ….. Now to add what my sister, Cheryl wrote so eloquently and truthfully about our Mama. My memory that will last until I take my last breath is; Mama practiced the “Fruits of the Spirit” in her daily life especially prior to her diagnosis of A-Typical Parkinson Disease. However even though as she progressed she did herbest to remain having a “fruits of the spirit” and fighting spirit even though she was losing control of most everything we take for granted for. There were a few times when Mama said some things to the CNA’s at the nursing home facility that I expressed “that came out of my Mama’s mouth!” Wow, she never said anything like that before! I believe her heart was always in the right place however it was difficult for Mama to be losing so much control of her life as her disease progressed. As a tribute to her loving heart I have placed in each one of your Memorial Flyers a copy of the “Fruits of the Spirit” that you may use as you wish, maybe as a bookmarker. …. I will end this with two PROFOUND verses my Mama taught me I will always remember, this one is on the inside of your Memorial folder; “Trust in the Lord with ALL Your Heart, and Lean not unto Your own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall Lead Your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 and “The Life you Lead is the Greatest Sermon there is.” In closing, if anyone else would like to share their thoughts and words for Mama/Grandmama please do at this time. Thank you so very much for being here and sharing this time with all of us about your mother, sister, grandmamma, mother-in-law, son-in-law, aunt, friend, and Sister-in-CHRIST …..
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