Connie Rae Byrd
Fraker Funeral Home, Inc. is inviting you to watch the recording of Connie Byrd’s Celebration of Life.
Use the following link for the recording:
Use the Passcode: SnH+A5Gu
Connie Rae (Davis) Byrd gently passed from this life on Thursday morning, October 3, 2024, at the age of 79. Her beloved children surrounded her. In her final days, her family gathered around her, sharing their love for her and telling stories of her beautiful life. A generous, witty, talented woman, Connie earned the love and admiration of her family, co-workers, and clients.
Connie Rae was born on October 9, 1944, in Frederick, Oklahoma, the first born to proud parents Otis and Margaret (Brixey) Davis. Her middle name was in honor of her maternal grandfather. Her parents later welcomed Connie’s sisters, Margaret Lee and Kathy Jean. Connie grew up on the family farm in rural Marshfield, as well as some time living with her family in Harrisonville and Strafford. Connie especially loved summer visits from family who lived in California. Patti Buckallew, her cousin closest to her age, was also a best friend throughout her life.
Connie was an excellent student, performing in plays, serving as Future Homemakers of America President and being chosen as Barnwarming and Homecoming queens. She was an excellent seamstress, and she sewed many of her own beautiful dresses for special events. She graduated from Marshfield High School in 1962.
Following high school graduation, Connie accompanied her Grandpa Ray to Washington for the Seattle World’s Fair. They visited her Aunt Mary and Uncle Jack and cousins Linda and Jack Lee Frost. Connie loved her time there so much that she asked to stay. She found a job and lived there for one adventurous year. Upon returning to Marshfield, she began dating a sweet football star who would become the love of her life, Thomas Edward Byrd.
Connie and Tom married on August 17, 1965. Their long, happy marriage was filled with love, laughter, and dedication to each other. Their three children, Marla Jo, Mark Edward, and Michelle Lee brought joy to their lives. They made their home near many of Tom’s family members on land long owned by the Byrd family. They welcomed friends and families to their home for birthday parties, graduation celebrations, and the best chicken and noodles ever made. Her grandchildren especially loved Connie’s home baked rolls.
Connie and Tom loved to travel to visit family and enjoyed several cruises in the Caribbean and to Alaska. She also loved her trips to Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Richmond, San Diego, and other locations. Connie loved and indulged her pets and had a special passion for her Yorkies: Sophie, Henry, Holly, and Bella.
Connie was a passionate advocate for everyone she loved. She made sure her people had what they needed, intervening whenever someone was treated badly. Connie pursued many artistic interests: sewing, painting, ceramics, drawing, and especially photography. Connie loved championing anyone who was disadvantaged or bullied. Connie learned and adapted throughout her life, keeping current on everything from technology to social justice.
Connie started her working life at Southwestern Bell, where she learned excellent customer service skills. After her children were all in school, Connie turned her photography hobby into a business, Connie’s Portraits. Connie had always been artistic, and her portraits were outstanding. She pursued additional education and entered her portraits into state, national and international competitions, earning the Master Photographer designation. Connie also earned recognition as a “Top Ten Photographer” in Missouri. Connie ran her successful photography business for twenty years, specializing in senior photography. Students from surrounding areas would travel to have an appointment with Connie. She also photographed weddings, reunions, senior proms, family groups, and lots of children. Connie’s Portraits was truly a family business. Tom built sets and Marla and Michelle both worked there. One rarely meets anyone who has been in Marshfield for long who was not photographed by Connie.
Connie was a lifelong Christian who attended Pleasant Hill United Methodist church as long as her health allowed. She participated in several bible studies and at one time was active in Women’s Aglow.
Connie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tom Byrd, her parents, Otis and Margaret Davis, her parents-in-law, Elston and Vada Byrd, her brother-in-law, Jack Byrd, her brother-in-law Gary Morse, her sister-in-law, Ramona Byrd, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Left to treasure her memory are the children who made her immensely proud, Marla Cary and her husband Mike, of Cookeville, Tennessee, Mark Byrd of Marshfield, and Michelle Stokes-Byrd and her wife Tarsha, of Richmond, Virginia. Connie adored her grandchildren: Marlee McShane and her husband Tim, Taylor and Peyton Byrd, Emma Cary, Alexus, Deja, and Amayah Harding, and K.J. Austin. Connie lived to know and adore her great-grandchildren, Oaklee, Case, and Layke McShane and Ariyah Harding. Connie’s loving sisters who survive her are Margie Davis, and Kathy Davis and her wife Jennifer Joslin. She is survived by Tom’s family: Ken Byrd, Dan Byrd and his wife, Teresa, Nancy Morse, and Bobbi McClafferty and her husband Pat. Connie is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, her church family, and her many friends at Marshfield Care Center.
Connie’s last few years, especially since Tom died in 2021, were difficult due to her diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia in 2017. Connie met every challenge with strength and grace. Her faith carried her through the tough times.
Memorial services for Connie Byrd will be at Fraker Funeral Home with the visitation on Sunday, October 6, 2024 from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. and the funeral on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. Connie will be buried in Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church cemetery, near her home, next to Tom.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri, in honor of Connie’s deep love for animals, or to Pleasant Hill Cemetery Fund. Donations may be made in care of the funeral home. In memory of Connie, please make someone feel seen, special, and loved.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV