Helen Elizabeth Byrdsong

In the early evening hours on Saturday, June 7, 2008 God, in his infinite wisdom, called MOTHER HELEN ELIZABETH BYRDSONG into eternal rest. Helen Byrdsong was a daughter of the late Lafayette and Martha Lawson (nee Warren). She was born on May 12, 1924 in Alton, Virginia (Halifax County). She was one of ten children. All of her siblings preceded her in death. she was educated in the Halifax County School System. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1934 at the Lawson Chapel in Alton, Virginia under Rev. Grant Evans. Shortly after marrying her first husband, John Henry Royster, she moved to North Carolina. Helen was blessed to have four daughters. She ad her family left North Carolina in 1949 and relocated to Baltimore, Maryland.After dedicating many years to caring and nurturing her daughters, Helen ventured to seek employment outside of the home. She worked as a domestic caretaker and later in the food service industry. She was a staunch believer in the value of hard work and education. She was proud to have instilled those same values in her daughters. She cherished the memory of her beloved John Henry who died in 1967.Having been raised in a home with strong Christian beliefs, she was determined to provide a strong Christian upbringing for her "girls." She insisted that they attend Sunday School and church services starting at an early age and continuing as they grew older, regardless of their activities on Saturday night. This commitment to Christian values was carried over into her interactions with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family will always have fond memories of the mandatory Bible verse recitations in exchange fro Christmas envelopes. In 1971, she enlarged her family circle by marrying Merry V.C. Byrdsong and welcoming four additional daughters. She also cherished the memory of her second husband who died in 1989.Helen became a member of the Nazarene Baptist Church in 1953. She rarely missed a church service and faithfully served for 55years in various capacities including: Deaconess, President of the Deaconess Board, President of the Missionary Society, Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent of the Sunday School. In 1997, she was elevated to "Mother of the Church" and served with great honor and dignity until the time of her death.She was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt and friend with a wry sense of humor. She preferred to not be interrupted while she watch her "stories." She enjoyed tending to her plants and her garden and sharing her baked treats with her grandchildren.She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory: seven devoted daughters, Corinthia Curbeam, Lula Weaver, Rosetta Mayo, Henrietta Moody, Gina Byrdsong, Lynette Hawkins and Lynn Foster; four sons-in-law, Thompkins Weaver, Jr., David V. Mayo, I, Rev. Jerry Moody and Gary Hawkins; fourteen grandchildren, Karen Powell, Brian Torbit, Angela Haskell, Tiffany Moody, Kimberly Weaver, Jerry Moody, David V. Mayo,II Marc Curbeam, derek Moody, Krystin Weaver, Jonathan Weaver, Thurston Mayo, Raven Hawkins and Gary Hawkins; six great-grandchildren, Kara Powell, Monet Curbeam, Dinashia Curbeam, Daniel Curbeam, Kirsten Powell and Ethan Haskell; two sisters-in-law, Louise Lawson and Alice Byrdsong; a host of nieces, nephews and other relative; and a devoted friend, Doris Wallace.

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Helen Elizabeth Byrdsong

May 12, 1924 - June 7, 2008