Geraldine Byrd

Geraldine "Gerry" Swicegood Byrd, 83, died Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at Randolph Hospital, Asheboro, NC. Mrs. Byrd was born on January 3, 1928 in Thomasville, NC to the late Ralph and Mollie Swicegood. On October 13, 1962 she married Grayson Seldon Byrd and moved to Asheboro. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grayson, and her brother Clarence Swicegood. She is survived by one daughter, Belinda Byrd Bagnal and her husband David, and three grandchildren, David Grayson, Anne Elizabeth, and Caroline Lee of Wilmington, NC. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Beulah S. McCarn of Thomasville and nine nieces. Mrs. Byrd graduated from Thomasville High School in 1945 and entered St. Leo's School of Nursing. She graduated in 1948 and began a rewarding career. As a registered nurse, she worked in both office and hospital settings retiring from Randolph Hospital as a house supervisor in 1995. She mentored many younger nurses and continued throughout her life assisting family and friends with medical concerns. Devoted to all children, she served as Coleridge School P.T.A. president, a Girl Scout leader, a church camp nurse, as well as a Sunday School teacher. As an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Asheboro, she was elected to the church's Board of Deacons, served as moderator of Presbyterian Women and as Circle Chairman. Particularly dear to her were the Westminister Sunday School class and Circle Number 3. In 1992 she was honored with the Life Membership Award given by the Presbyterian Women. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Ave., Asheboro, NC. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Friday, December 16, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church, 420 West Walker Ave., Asheboro with the Rev. Connie Weaver and the Rev. Brian Gawf officiating. Burial will follow at the Science Hill Friends Meeting Cemetery.