Oakdale-Celebration of Life services honoring Susan Jannell Bryd, 67, will be held at 4 o'clock p.m. on Wednesday evening, October 16, 2024, at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale. Rev. Greg Willis will officiate. Susan's family will host private inurnment services in her memory at a future date.

Susan's family will receive friends and visitors at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale on Wednesday morning, October 16, 2024, from 10 o'clock a.m. until time of service. All of Susan's arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale.

Susan Jannell Byrd, affectionately called Sunshine, Mimi, Sis, and Susie Q by all who knew her, was born July 31, 1957, to the union of Lloyd and Janell Byrd. She was born in the small town of Oakdale, Louisiana and was the 3rd born of 7 children. Susan passed away peacefully on October 14, 2024, at the age of 67. Her son loved to refer to her as "Sunshine" and if you knew her well, you know why. She lit up a room with her bright eyes and her warm smile. Susan spent much of her working life nurturing others in her capacity working as a C.N.A in nursing homes and for companies that provided home health services. In her younger years, Susan loved to ride motorcycles and enjoy the freedom of the open road. In her later years, Susan loved to garden, and work on puzzles with her son and son-in-law. She also loved to fish, and wow, could she cook! Gumbo and barbecue were her specialties. If you were blessed enough to enjoy any of Suzan's cooking, then you felt her love. A life is measured in love through the people you touch and the memories you leave with them. Susan loved spending time with her loved ones more than anything. A backyard BBQ get together, a Sunday dinner with family, and countless camping and canoe trips with friends and loved ones, that's a legacy of love, a legacy has been left with us of beautiful memories. The spirit of Susan Byrd is one of kindness and love for everyone. Susan never met a stranger, she would strike up a conversation with anyone she encountered, always with that twinkle in her eye and that warm smile. Even when her ability to walk was taken from her, and when most of us would've given up, she stayed strong, and kept spreading kindness and love to those around her. Susan never failed to end a conversation with "I love you" or "I'm proud of you" and now we know why. None of us must doubt how she felt. If you wish to honor the memory of Susan Byrd, love loudly and boldly, share your gratitude for your loved ones, and be kind to everyone with a twinkle in your eye and warmth in your smile. Susan will be forever missed and unconditionally loved by all who knew her.

Those left to cherish Susan's memory include one son, Byron; her loving son-in-law and her favorite personal chef, Austin Bradford; three brothers, Steve Byrd and wife Pam, Gary Byrd and wife Belinda, and Kent Byrd and wife Linda, three sisters, Peggy Brewster and husband Fred, Sheila Meeks and husband Joe, and Rhonda Sexton and husband Darren; and a host of numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Susan is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Lloyd and Jannell Byrd; and one nephew, Gary Byrd ll.

Condolences and words of comfort may be shared with Susan's family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com or on Facebook at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.