Beatrice Allen Byrd

Beatrice Allen "Bea" Byrd, 84, died Tuesday morning at her home in Benton, Ark., following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Byrd was a retired nurse and the widow of William Edward Byrd. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Benton. She loved to cook, work in her yard, and spend time with her family. She loved doing for others and was one of the best nurses ever at Saline Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Byrd was born June 22, 1925, to Benjamin and Lula Allen. She is survived by a son, Dennis A. Byrd Sr., and his wife, Linda; and a daughter, Lisa Richey and her husband, Curtis, all of Benton; three sisters, Ida Britton of Eudora, Ark., Louise Baxter of Benton, and Judy Fray of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren, Dennis Byrd Jr. and his wife, Heather; and Roxie Hopman and her husband, Perry; Ramsi Richey and Will Richey, all of Benton; and four great-grandchildren, Gunner and Leighton Hopman, and Branden and Addison Byrd, also of Benton. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Ben, William, and C.J. Allen, and three other brothers, who died during childhood. Services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 3, 2010 at First Baptist Church in Benton with Dr. Rick Grant and the Rev. Kim Hammer officiating. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6–8 p.m., Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home in Benton (501-315-4047). Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ballard.