Obituary of Georgia May Byrd

Georgia May (Kelly) Byrd, age 85 years, of Norristown, died on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at Einstein Hospital – Norristown PA.  She was the wife of Robert Lee Byrd, to whom she was married for 64 years.  She was the daughter of the late Mary Kelly Anderson and Charles Owens, 
born in Columbia, SC on Thursday, September 21, 1933.

She graduated from Springfield High School.  Like her husband Robert, Georgia was the eldest of eleven children: Leroy Kelly; Gerald Owens – deceased (wife Dorothea); Carol Griffin (husband Robert); James “Jake” Kelly – deceased; Marvin “Ronnie” Kelly; Ricky Kelly (wife Betty Ann); Sharon Smith (husband John – deceased); Curtis Wayne Kelly (wife Ella); Madeline Best; Mary Garner (husband Paul) and Judy Smith – deceased. 

Georgia and her sister Carol did a lot of fun things together such as helping children and adults and because they grew up in such a large family in Cold Point, they slept in the same bed.

Robert and Georgia met in 1945 and after some years of staying in contact and then courting, they were married on October 30, 1954 at her Grandmother’s home.  They were blessed to raise four children (one daughter preceded her in death).  As their children grew and became teenagers Georgia did housework and was employed with the Norristown School District for ten years.  Georgia was an excellent homemaker, a devoted wife and wonderful mother.  In 1959, Georgia joined Robert in studying the Bible as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

As they gained an accurate knowledge of Jehovah and the Bible, both were baptized in 1965 at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, PA.  Georgia loved the truth and enjoyed helping others have the same appreciation.  Because of this love she often auxiliary pioneered and assisted on Bible studies with her husband, family and friends.  She enjoyed entertaining family and friends in their home with delicious home cooked meals.  It was a privilege to use their home as one of the centers for the Congregation Bible Study and meetings for field service.  Georgia had a passion for music and dancing.  Her personal style from her long beautiful hair to her dress and grooming was always attractive, appropriate and befitting a Christian woman.

Robert and Georgia traveled to several places for Convention programs and vacations which include beautiful places in Bermuda, Jamaica, Canada, Peru and several other locations abroad and in the United States.  In addition to her husband Robert, Georgia is survived by her four children: her devoted daughter, Renee’ Smith and son Robert, Jr. (wife Darlene – deceased); Rodell Byrd (wife Denise) and Rory Byrd, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and many friends.  She is lovingly remembered by her adoring in-laws who helped support and care for her during her illness.

Robert Byrd and Family would like to extend sincere gratitude and appreciation for every kind and loving display of sympathy.

Her service will be held on Friday, June 14, 2019 at 10:00 AM at Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 19 East Germantown Pike, East Norriton, Pa 19401.

There will be a viewing before the service on Friday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at funeral home.

Interment will be in George Washington Memorial Park of Plymouth Meeting, Pa.

Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home of East Norriton, 610-277-1600, msrfh.com.