JoAn Byrd, 81, of Port Arthur died Wednesday, September 23, 2015. She was born on August 20, 1934, in Shelbyville, to Claudia Ruth Harkness and Willey Wallace Cordray.
JoAn retired in 1993 after twenty years as a teacher from Port Arthur Independent School district, where she taught Earth Science and Texas History. She was a faithful church member and sang with the Silver Tones at First Baptist Church. JoAn was a member of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, and traveling in her RV.
Survivors include her husband of sixty-four years, James Byrd of Port Arthur; son, James Michael Byrd and his wife, Linda, of Nacogdoches; daughter, Sheila Ward and her husband, Jay, of League City; grandchildren, Will Byrd, Daniel Byrd, Sarah Byrd, Tobin Ward, and Aubrey Dustin Ward; three great-grandchildren; brother, Aubrey Lee Cordray and his wife, Pam, of Canton; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A gathering of Mrs. Byrd’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 25, 2015, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Her funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 26, 2015, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Byrd’s memory to First Baptist Church General Fund, 1911 Nederland Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627.
