In Memory Of
Esterlyn Byars
1922
2023
Esterlyn Byars
May 23, 1922 — January 31, 2023
Esterlyn Byars, the daughter of the late John Shamell and Melinda Forte, was born May 23, 1922 in Allensville, Kentucky.
She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age at the Allensville Baptist Church.
She was united in marriage to John William Byars and, from this union, eleven children were born.
She relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1956 and united with Shiloh Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Henry Humphrey, Sr., where she was an active member.
On October 14, 1979, she united with Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Elwood Duncan, Sr. She was a strong believer in Jesus Christ and raised her children in and around the church environment. She was a faithful member until her health began to fail.
She's best remembered as a true warrior for her family and all humanity in her own unique way. She is remembered for carrying on African American oral tradition of passing down stories of the family, especially recalling humorous, bone-tickling stories of her, her 3 sisters, brother and Uncle Robert Lee (her father's brother). She's known as "MaMaw" to many of her children's' friends and acquaintances-- her loving smile, her cooking, motherly wit and she truly was the Matriarch of the family.
She was a U of L and LA Lakers fan. On January 31st, her Lord whispered in her ear and told her that the battle was over. Mom, you will find peace, rest, and favor in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John William Byars; five of her children, Ora May, John Ester, John Lewis, Dorothy Nell, and Garner Ezell and siblings, Georgia Mae Dickerson, Evelyn Byars, Warren Shamell, and Louise Wilson.
She leaves to cherish her memory, three children, James E. Byars, Sr. (Otha), Katie Bee Nelson, Forgenia Turner (Robert); two daughters-in-laws, Yulonger Byars and Francine Byars; son-in-law, Wiley Nelson; nine grandchildren, James Edwards children, Angela Byars and James Edward Byars, Jr.; Dorothy Nell's daughter, Robbin Huffman, Garner "BayBay's" children, Sterling Burton, Jermaine Anderson, Garner E. Byars, Jr. and Ryan McCoy and Genia's children, Robert M. Turner, Jr. and Tawaina Dones; eighteen great-grandchildren, Nikki, Raven, BJ, Jaren, Garrick, Dorri, Shay, Malcolm, Bryzick, Kai, Olivia, John, Jaxson, Reagan, Ryleigh, RJ, Jordan and Taylor; seven great-great grandchilren, Malachi, Khalia, Reagan, Bryson, Braylon, Zuriaha, and McKinley; great-great-great grandson on the way and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church, 1213 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY, 40210, from 10am-12pm with a celebration of Esterlyn's life beginning at 12pm.
A graveside service for Esterlyn will be at Louisville Cemetery, 1339 Poplar Level Road
Louisville, Kentucky, 40217, following the funeral service.
To leave a special memory of Esterlyn for the family, please select the "Share Memories" tab above.
She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age at the Allensville Baptist Church.
She was united in marriage to John William Byars and, from this union, eleven children were born.
She relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1956 and united with Shiloh Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Henry Humphrey, Sr., where she was an active member.
On October 14, 1979, she united with Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Elwood Duncan, Sr. She was a strong believer in Jesus Christ and raised her children in and around the church environment. She was a faithful member until her health began to fail.
She's best remembered as a true warrior for her family and all humanity in her own unique way. She is remembered for carrying on African American oral tradition of passing down stories of the family, especially recalling humorous, bone-tickling stories of her, her 3 sisters, brother and Uncle Robert Lee (her father's brother). She's known as "MaMaw" to many of her children's' friends and acquaintances-- her loving smile, her cooking, motherly wit and she truly was the Matriarch of the family.
She was a U of L and LA Lakers fan. On January 31st, her Lord whispered in her ear and told her that the battle was over. Mom, you will find peace, rest, and favor in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John William Byars; five of her children, Ora May, John Ester, John Lewis, Dorothy Nell, and Garner Ezell and siblings, Georgia Mae Dickerson, Evelyn Byars, Warren Shamell, and Louise Wilson.
She leaves to cherish her memory, three children, James E. Byars, Sr. (Otha), Katie Bee Nelson, Forgenia Turner (Robert); two daughters-in-laws, Yulonger Byars and Francine Byars; son-in-law, Wiley Nelson; nine grandchildren, James Edwards children, Angela Byars and James Edward Byars, Jr.; Dorothy Nell's daughter, Robbin Huffman, Garner "BayBay's" children, Sterling Burton, Jermaine Anderson, Garner E. Byars, Jr. and Ryan McCoy and Genia's children, Robert M. Turner, Jr. and Tawaina Dones; eighteen great-grandchildren, Nikki, Raven, BJ, Jaren, Garrick, Dorri, Shay, Malcolm, Bryzick, Kai, Olivia, John, Jaxson, Reagan, Ryleigh, RJ, Jordan and Taylor; seven great-great grandchilren, Malachi, Khalia, Reagan, Bryson, Braylon, Zuriaha, and McKinley; great-great-great grandson on the way and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church, 1213 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY, 40210, from 10am-12pm with a celebration of Esterlyn's life beginning at 12pm.
A graveside service for Esterlyn will be at Louisville Cemetery, 1339 Poplar Level Road
Louisville, Kentucky, 40217, following the funeral service.
To leave a special memory of Esterlyn for the family, please select the "Share Memories" tab above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Esterlyn Byars, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Starts at 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
Louisville
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Visits: 9
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