Ann Elizabeth Byrd

On Wednesday, September 18, 2019, Annie Elizabeth Byrd was called home to her heavenly father. Annie Byrd (Williams) was born on March 3, 1932 in Columbus, South, Carolina to Maggie Worthy and James Williams. Ann, as she was known to her family and friends, went to New York City in 1945. She later met and married William Lavern Byrd and gave birth to four children; Vanessa, Everett, Bridget and Robin.

Ann spent most of her adult life in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from Medgar Evers College with a Bachelors degree in Social Work. After graduating, she worked as a Social Worker. Her tireless efforts were instrumental in protecting the children of New York City until her retirement in 1996. Ann was skillful, creative and very proficient in woodworking, sewing and doll making. For a short time she made and sold African American dolls. Her love of animals and nature took her to many places, from bull-fighting in Mexico to breeding dogs in her backyard. As a visionary, Ann was the first in her family to accomplish many things including being the first to graduate from college, buying her first home and owning and operating an entertainment business called "Birdsnest". Ann was also very outspoken! There were many who experienced her sharp wit, mixed with love and kindness. But as much as she accomplished, nothing was more important to her than her family.  She loved her family deeply! She was loyal and fiercely protective of all of her family and those lucky enough to be considered family. 

After retiring Ann relocated to Newport News Virginia. She was a vibrant member of the Warwick Townhouse Community. They knew her as "Ma", "Ms. Ann" and even "Grams". She fed them, she argued with them but supported them all. She loved God and would often have roundtable bible study classes in her home and the community was always welcome.

After the untimely death of her son Robin Byrd in October 2017, Ann moved to Va Beach, Va and was cared for by her son Everett Byrd and daughter in law Maria; two daughters Vanessa Byrd-Vasquez and son in law Jose "Roscoe", Bridget Porter and her life partner Marshall Harris; grandsons Antoin, Nathaniel, Ron, Jamel and Everett Jr.; granddaughters Essence, Oleassia, Takisha, Kabrina, Tenea  and Ayanna along with a host of great grands, great, great, great grands family and friends.

Before she went to glory, Ann said "I have to tell them"..... but she did not complete her sentence; however, we (the family), believe she would say "You don't have to hold your head down and cry because Im gone, but you should hold your head high and smile because I lived. Bam, Bam, Bam!!!          To God be ALL the glory.

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