KINDER-Shirley Ruth Byrd Wright, 71, of Kinder passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at 3:30 a.m. at Kinder Retirement and Rehabilitation Center in Kinder, Louisiana.
Shirley was born in Hornbeck, Louisiana and attended Hemphill High School in Hemphill, Texas. She was also a longtime resident of Beaumont, Texas.
Shirley moved to Indian Village a year and a half ago with her granddaughter Kristina Franz, husband Joe Franz and four great grandchildren Zoe Wright, Eve Wright, Ashleynn Ogea and Sophie Franz. Shirley loved them with a mother's heart, would comfort them with a mother's hand and encouraged them with a mother's praise. She watched them grow, heard them laugh and watched them play. Shirley worked hard over the years to provide for her family, children and friends. She would make life worthwhile for everyone around her with each and every smile. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her and loved her. We will have tender memories and find comfort in knowing her spirit is always by our side.
Survivors include her two daughters; Deborah K. Flowers of Beaumont, Texas, and Tina I. Wright of Austin, Texas; one son, Michael L. Wright of China, Texas; two brothers, James D. Byrd of Beaumont, Texas, and Willard Allan Byrd of China, Texas; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Jess Willard Byrd and Ruth Evelyn Byrd; son, Douglas Wayne Wright; and former husband, Presley Duke Wright, Jr.
At Shirley's request, she will be cremated. No services will be held. She did not want her family to grieve, but to rejoice in life that is everlasting in our hearts.
Thank God for Mothers and their influence.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ardoin Funeral Home of Kinder. Words of sympathy may be expressed to the family at the funeral home website-www.ardoinfuneralhome.com.