Joyce S. Byrd, 84, of Franklin, passed away Thursday, November 29, 2007.

Born in Old Fort, NC, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth Sawyer and Reba Burnette Sawyer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Garland Stephen Byrd who died April 15, 2005; a brother, James Earl Sawyer, a sister, Carolyn Pilkington; a half brother, Rev. Kenneth Sawyer; two grandsons and one granddaughter. Joyce was a member of Cowee Baptist Church.

She is survived by three daughters, Gail Walters and husband Skip of Franklin, Barbara Ann Kreider and husband Van of San Jose, CA and Celia Kay Bryant and husband Bill of Franklin; eight grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday, December 2, at Cowee Baptist Church. Rev. Lloyd Fish, Rev. Wayne Byrd and Rev. Milton Hollifield will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, December 1, at Macon Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Cowee Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Kay Rickman, 240 Golf View Dr., Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences @www.maconfuneralhome.com