Bette (May) Byrd

Bette Byrd, age 81, of Abilene, Texas, (Former longtime resident of Sweetwater, Texas) passed away on Monday, September 25, 2023 at Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene, Texas.

Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 6:00 - 7:30 P.M.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 30, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Lance May officiating.  Burial will follow at Garden of Memories.  Arrangements are under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.

Bette was born on February 14, 1942 in Sweetwater, Texas to Seaborn Jones May and Mary Grace (Gracie) May.  Bette married Richard Byron Byrd on March 28, 1975 in Sweetwater, Texas.  She was a longtime active member of First Presbyterian Church, Sweetwater, Texas.  She worked as a self-employed independent accountant for several businesses.

Bette was one of several people in organizing the Trail of Lights.  She was a Sweetwater City Commissioner for fourteen years and a board member of PPI.  She was a Life Master in duplicate bridge and spent much time playing with partners that will miss her greatly.  Bette will be missed by everyone that knew her.  She touched so many lives.  Her family was the joy of her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Melissa Stutts and husband Vernon of Sweetwater, Texas, son, Michael Franks and friend Patti of Sweetwater, Texas, step-son, Eric Byrd and wife Kristi of Allen, Texas, grandchildren, Tommy Maitland and wife Michelle, Kristy Maitland, Miranda Stutts and fiance Jesus DeLeon, T.J. Mundell, Joe McMurtrey and wife Cassandra, and Erica Byrd, and great grandchildren, Chalyce, Lea, Andrew, Bryson, Bryson, Eva, and Carl, brother, Jay May and wife Vickie, sister, Peggy Solsbery and husband Nelson, and several nieces, and nephews as well as many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, S.J. May and Mary Grace (Gracie) Craig, and husband, Richard Byron Byrd.

Pallbearers will be Joe McMurtrey, Tommy Maitland, Bryson Maitland, Andrew Maitland, Eric Byrd, and Jesus (L.J.) DeLeon.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jay May, Nelson Solsbery, Vernon Stutts, and Butch Jay.