Ethlyn Sims Byrd, 70

Ethlyn Sims Byrd, 70, of Hendersonville died Friday, March 21, 2014, at Pardee Memorial Hospital.

She was born on Sept. 22, 1943 in Natchez, Miss., to the late Ralph Hylton and Eliza Bowie Sims.

Ethlyn graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.S. Degree in Education. During one summer break in 1966 Ethlyn accepted a position as a camp counselor at Camp Green Cove in Tuxedo. She met a local counselor, Frank Byrd, at the Boy's Camp, Mondamin. With both camps sharing the same ownership, combined events nurtured the relationship. She married the love of her life, Frank, on Oct. 28, 1967, at St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, La., and then moved to Hendersonville. She then went on to get her MA Degree at Furman University in Education.

She was a loyal, popular and dedicated teacher, primarily in the Henderson County School system, for 35 years. She taught classes at the elementary and the middle school levels. After retirement in 2001, she never fully left the youth of Henderson County through her mentoring, tutoring and her love for young, eager minds. The Henderson County Education Foundation proudly inducted Ethlyn into their Hall of Fame in 2010.

Ethlyn was a faithful and active member of St. James Episcopal Church for over 40 years. She served on the Altar Guild for the church and was their former Directress. She was active on numerous boards and committees over the years including Mainstay, The St. James Charities Foundation, and was currently serving on the board of the St. Gerard House. She was an avid sports fan, and stayed loyal to her Alma Mater; however, she became quite a basketball fan of the UNC Tarheels. She loved music and enjoyed attending The Hendersonville Symphony as well as the Brevard Music Center with Frank. They enjoyed traveling together, and fell in love with Ocracoke Island, returning several weeks annually over the last 25 years.

She is survived by her husband, Frank Byrd; son, John Falconer Byrd of Tampa, Fla.; daughter, Elizabeth Byrd von Stade and her husband, F. Skiddy of New York, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Eliza Sims von Stade, Skiddy von Stade; two sisters, Dorothy Fantle of Hendersonville, and Elizabeth Chadwick of Georgetown, Mich..

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2014, at St. James Episcopal Church with the Rev. Dr. Joel H. Hafer officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Stillwell Hall. Additional parking for the service will be available in the parking lot of Bruce Drysdale Elementary School.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Gerard House, 620 Oakland Street, Hendersonville, NC 28791.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.