Loura "Jigg" Byrd

Loura "Jigg" Byrd, 92, of the Bloomingdale Community, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday night (January 31, 2018) at NHC following a brief illness. She was born in Greene County, TN and lived in Kingsport since 1951. Mrs. Byrd was a graduate of ETSU and received her Master's Degree in Education from Union College. She retired from the Sullivan County School System having taught at Kingsley Elementary School and Ketron Middle School. She was well known in the community for her cooking and was an avid reader. Loura also loved to collect antiques. She was a very active member at Bloomingdale Baptist Church since she moved to Kingsport. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sidney Mack Byrd, Sr.; her son, James (Jim) Byrd; parents, Charles and Madge Solomon; a brother, Wilson Carlyle Solomon; sister, Jessie Bryant. Loura Byrd is survived by her children, Sidney Byrd, Jr. and John Byrd; her grandson, Daymon Byrd and wife, Janet and great grandson, Grayson Byrd; her sister, Blanche Murphy; her daughter-in-law, Shirley Byrd Rose and special friend, Brenda Cammilleri. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to all her special caregivers that went above and beyond in the care of Mrs. Byrd. Calling hours will be held on Saturday (February 3, 2018) from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Bloomingdale Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. at the church with Pastor Phil Whittemore, officiating. A graveside service will be conducted on Sunday (February 4, 2018) at 2 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery. Family and friends attending the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 1:50 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bloomingdale Baptist Church Youth Group, 3220 Bloomingdale Road, Kingsport, TN 37660. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Byrd family.