Dorothy Louise Byrd, 89, retired home health care worker, resident of Okmulgee OK; transitioned December 18, 2015 in her home surrounded by family.

Sis. Dorothy Louise Byrd was born March 12, 1926 to Bennie and Martha (Fields) Smith. She attended Pleasant Green School and later attended Booker T. Washington in Rural Dover, Oklahoma.

Dorothy was met with a misfortune in 1939 when a fire destroyed the family home along with six of her siblings. At that time, she could have perished but God did not let that happen. Sister Byrd has been an over comer, and no task was ever too hard for her. Being a farmers' daughter and a strong willed woman she was never afraid of anything and never afraid of hard work.

Sis. Dorothy Byrd was united in marriage to Thomas H. Byrd in 1972 and they remained committed in love to each other until he was called home.

Sis. Dorothy Byrd united with the New Salem Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. M.A. Wallace. For thirty plus years she remained at New Salem and under the pastorate of Rev. Willie Antwine Sr. she continued to serve where she could. Sister Byrd was a loyal Christian and loved serving in the church and for a time she sang in the senior choir. She changed her membership in 2011 to New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Preston, OK; to be in service with her grandchildren. She attended until her health no longer permitted.

Sis. Dorothy L. Byrd closed her eyes for the last time on December 18th, 2015.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, one daughter and six siblings.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her three sons, Robert (Donna) Woods Jr., Okmulgee, OK; Nathan (Freida)Woods, Crane, TX; Alphonsae Woods, Denver CO; and one daughter, Tina Woods, Okmulgee, OK; three sisters, Darlene (Elwood) Charles, Enid OK; Martha (Herman) Carr, Denver CO; Clarene Maloy, Indianapolis, IN; 15 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted on Thursday, December 24, 2015, 1:00 p.m., New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 11435 Nixon St., Preston, OK. Interment will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Okmulgee, OK.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 23, 2015, 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the Precious Memories Chapel.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home.