Julia Christine Mourning Byrd

Julia Christine Mourning Byrd, of 965 Lucy Grade Road in Dothan, AL passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 2, 2017. She enjoyed the blessings of longevity and lived to be 102 years old.

Funeral services will be held at 1 pm Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at First Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. B. K. Marshall officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, February 6, 2017 from 4-6 pm.

Julia was born August 26, 1914 in Dothan, Alabama to the late Robert Warren Mourning and Elizabeth Martin Mourning. She was united in holy matrimony to Horatio Erskine Byrd on December 2, 1934 and to this union eleven children were reared.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Horatio E. Byrd; step-mother, Thelma Mourning Fisher; a son, Charles E. Byrd, a daughter, Robbie Randall; two grandchildren, Michael Shipman and David Byrd Jr.; seven sisters and six brothers.

Julia accepted Christ at an early age and united with Adam Street Baptist Church, she later joined Woods Chapel A.M.E. and was an active member there until it dissolved. She then united with Shady Grove Baptist Church #2 and remained there, until she joined her family, and united with First Missionary Baptist Church, until her death. Julia loved the Lord. Her faith was more than attending Sunday school and Worship Service on Sundays. All that knew her knew of her love for her church, as she spent the latter part of her life, before her illness, in church. She was a member of Sunday School Class # 1 and Missionary Circle #3. Sharing and witnessing about the goodness of God was a part of her everyday life. Her faith was about a personal relationship with God and that was demonstrated daily by the way she treated her family and other she encountered each day.

Most of her life was spent as a farmer alongside her husband. In 1962, she became employed at Barber’s Grocery Store in the Lakeview Community until she retired 10 years later.

Julia loved spending her leisure time relaxing with a fishing pole at what she called the “Honey Hole” and communing with nature through her joy of gardening, as she watched her plants and flowers grow. She also had a love of music and singing. Her family would often be awakened to the sound of her melodic voice singing “Blessed Assurance” or “Your Grace and Mercy” while cooking breakfast, shelling peas or other wifely duties around the home. On Sunday afternoons she would often be found sitting at her special spot by the window watching the Gaither vocal band and Todd Shuttles.

For several years, she faithfully attended Rose Hill Senior Center. She enjoyed the fellowship with her friends and preparing the squares for making the quilts to be sold at their Annual Christmas Bazaar, until her health declined. She was also crowned the Valentine Queen at one of Rose Hills Valentine luncheons.

Those who will forever cherish her memory are; six daughters, Lois Shipman, Carson, CA, Carolyn E. Johnson, Dothan, AL., Betty Jean Allen Brisette, Phoenix, AZ, Mary Ella (Nermire) Cooper, Bellwood, IL, Elaine Maynor, Edith (Reafield) Vester, Dothan, AL.; three sons: Lawrence (Loyce) Byrd, Bobby Ray Byrd, David (Mary) Byrd all of Dothan, AL.; two sisters, Mary Lois Heirs, Ft. Lauderdale, FL., Annie Bell Webb, Pompano Beach, FL.; two sisters-in-law, Ella Byrd McCain, Birmingham, AL. Clellie Mourning, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.; twenty-four grandchildren, two of whom she raised as her own, Patricia D. Johnson and Deborah Pearson of Dothan, AL.; twenty-three great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; one god-daughter, Ruth (Percy) Williams, Dothan, AL.; special cousins, Mamie Sue Martin Ellison and family, Stone Mountain, GA; the Austin, Jones and Jackson Families of Dothan, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends who were like family.

Her loved ones will truly miss her wonderful, quiet touch and loving spirit.