Itha Mae Stephenson Byrd

Dunn, NC: Mrs. Itha Mae Stephenson Byrd, age 92, of Happy Trails Lane passed away on Saturday April 2, 2022 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield surrounded by her loving family. Funeral Services will be held 2:00PM Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at the Rose & Graham Funeral Home Chapel in Benson. Officiating will be Rev. Bill West and Mr. Buddy Hart. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery in Benson.

Mrs. Byrd was born on November 2, 1929 in Johnston County, NC to the late Thylmor “Steve” Harrison and Bessie Pearl Blackman Stephenson. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Olivia Abbate, Shelby Cobb, Donnie McCloud, Shirley Elliott, Peggy Stellar; and a brother, Tommy Stephenson; and many loving pets. Mrs. Byrd was the owner and operator of Dogwood Gardens and Gifts for over 30 years and was a homemaker. She was the best biscuit maker in the world. Mrs. Byrd was a steward of animals and nature. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Surviving include her husband of 73 years, Horace Evet Byrd; daughters, Sheila Wright and husband, Joseph of Washington State, Darlene Blackmon and husband, Randy of Benson; seven grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren; sisters, Judy Byrd of Benson, Carolyn Tart and husband, Roy of Dunn, Brenda Harper and husband, Manford of Benson, Cherie Hoyer and husband, Paul of Clayton; and several nieces and nephews.

         The family will receive friends at Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson, NC on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM and other times at the home.

          Flowers are welcome; however memorials may be made to Paw Project, c/o Trisha Lukacs, 416 Price Lake Way, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 or Stage Road Animal Hospital, c/o Travis, 7580 Old Stage Road North, Angier, NC 27501.

          Condolences may be made to the family at www.roseandgraham.com.

Arrangements are by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson, NC.