Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Brenda Askew Byrd passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at the age of 80, in her home surrounded by her family and loving caregivers.

Brenda was born on Oct. 2, 1942, and was the eldest of her siblings. She went on to graduate as the Valedictorian of her high school class and attended The College of William and Mary. She spent her career educating and shaping young minds to be successful students and citizens, while also raising her three beautiful children with her beloved husband. Brenda was a loving mother and mother figure to many. Her greatest joy was her family and little dogs, Bailey and Lily. She was a Master Gardener and had a particular love for the land and growing beautiful flowers. Her yard was always in abundance and home to her treasured koi pond. Throughout her life, she spent many weeks camping with family and friends where many treasured memories were always created.

She was blessed with a close-knit and loving family who are left to forever cherish her memory, Jerry Byrd, her loving husband of 60 years; her beautiful children, sons, Mark Byrd (Kathy) and Matt Byrd (Gail) and daughter, Julie Byrd. They blessed her with grandchildren, Lauren Daughtrey (Carson), Katie Dundlow (Tommy), Matthew Byrd, Charles Byrd and Michelle Taylor. How lucky she was to have also had her great-grandchildren, Colton, Caleb and Eleanor. She is also survived by her sister, Sarah Massey and her family, and brother, Robert Askew and his family. She is predeceased by her parents, R. Wilson Askew and Velma Askew Dilday; brother-in-law, Alan Kent Massey and sister-in-law, Pamela Harrell Askew.

A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, July 10, at R.W. Baker & Co. Downtown Suffolk Chapel, 509 W. Washington St., officiated by Dr. Ruffin Alphin. Family will receive friends one and a half hours prior to her service from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interment will take place at Holly Lawn following the funeral. Online condolences may be registered at RWBakerFH.com.