Mary Rachel (Burgan) Byrum, age 96, was born in 1919 in Barney, Iowa, the youngest sibling and last survivor of the ten children born to John (1861-1922) and Mary Elizabeth Hamblin Burgan (1877-1963). After graduating from Macksburg High School in 1935, she joined her sisters in Anderson.
She married Millard Webster Byrum in 1938 and was a devoted wife and frugal helpmate for 62 years, assisting him in his electrical business while maintaining the responsibilities of the home and family. Her death on August 15, 2016, came sixteen years to the day of her husband's passing.
She was active in the PTA and Mother's Club at Lindbergh Elementary School, an active supporter of East Side Church of God, a member and officer in the WMS/WCG, a women's group of the Church of God focusing on mission's education and missionary support. She enjoyed quilting and was a member of the Redbud Quilt Guild. She lent helping hands wherever she could and lived a selfless, generous life. Regular Bible reading and daily devotions were her mainstay, as she faithfully prayed for a long list of family and friends, bringing each one before the Lord daily.
She was a loving mother to her children, Shirley (DC) Holloway of Lake Wales, FL; James Byrum and Constance (Larry) Gray of Anderson.
She was an encouraging grandmother to eight: Mary Christine Holloway Silver, David Holloway (1967-1997), Rev. Jonathan (Jennifer) Holloway, Rev. Nola Byrum (John) Boezeman and Larry Webster Byrum, Donna Gray (Jim) Thurston, Darrin (Leslie Tinsley) Gray and James (Kirsten Bracht) Gray; great grandmother to 15, Joshua, Rachel, and Hannah Silver, Makenna, Camden, Avery Grace (2007) and Adalyn Holloway; John and Matthew Boezeman; Rebekah and Tyler Thurston; Evan, Shelby and Zachary Gray; Benjamin and Meredith Gray and great-great grandmother to Lavender Silver.
A California phone pal called regularly for many years and was a special friend and a bright spot in her life.
Trish DeFord was a compassionate caregiver these last years of Rachel's life.
She suffered the loss of all of her siblings, her husband, a grandson, a great granddaughter and many dear friends. She managed to live at home independently until one week before her death.
Services will be at Noon on Friday August 19 at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service with Rev. Mark Shaner of East Side Church of God officiating. Burial will follow at East Maplewood Cemetery. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service Friday.
Donations may be given to H.E.A.R.T., 13895 Highway 27, Lake Wales, FL 33859 http://heartvillage.org.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.