Joyce Belle Byrd

Benson, NC:  Mrs. Joyce Belle Hobbs Byrd, age 90, of 8731 Raleigh Road died Sunday, July 7, 2013, at Rex Hospital in Raleigh. Funeral services will be 11:00AM Tuesday, July 9, 2013, at the Rose & Graham Funeral Home Chapel in Benson. Officiating will be Dr. Paul Rowland. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Benson. Mrs. Byrd was born August 9, 1922 in Johnston County to the late Matthew M. & Esther Barbour Hobbs. She was also preceded in death by her Husband, George Dwight Byrd.  Mrs. Byrd was a homemaker and a member of Berea Presbyterian Church. She served over 72 years as a pianist for St. Mary’s Original Free Will Baptist Church and Berea Presbyterian Church. Surviving include daughter, Nita B. Allen of Garner; sons & daughters-in-law, Danny H. & Kathy Byrd of Clayton and Gary Dwight & Karen Byrd of Boston, MA; sister, Rebecca H. Braswell of Cary; 4 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren. Family will receive friends at Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson from 9:30AM to 10:30AM Tuesday prior to the service. Flowers are welcomed; however memorials may be made to 50/210 EMS, P. O. Box 530, Smithfield, NC  27577 or Rex Healthcare Foundation, 2500 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 325, Raleigh, NC  27607.