SOUTHSIDE — Vera Gail (Allen) Byrd,

71, of Southside, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2020.

She was born on November 16, 1948 in Blytheville, Ark., to Thomas Allen and Evelyn (Pogue) Allen.

Vera was a member of Allen Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, where she served as a Trustee and Sunday School Secretary.

She worked as a registered nurse for 40 years at White River Medical Center. She was kind, compassionate, and loved helping other people. After retirement, she became the City Recorder for the City of Southside. She also enjoyed watching “Judge Judy” and making pot holders to give them away. She was a strong-willed and hard-working woman with a good sense of humor. She raised three of her own children and helped raise several others. She was a trailblazer; a fixer. Her resilience and passion inspired her to make the world a better place.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Jerry Byrd; one son, Jerry “JJ” Byrd Jr. (Krystal) of Bentonville; two daughters, Sandra Byrd of Southside and Laura Faulkner of Maumelle; six grandchildren, Kathryn Byrd, Kameron Byrd, Rebekah Byrd, Ashlynn Byrd, Reagan Faulkner and Micah Faulkner; one brother, Jody McKnight (Sondra) of Paducah, Ky.; one sister, Mary Keeler of Bradford; and several nieces and nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and infant sister.

Pallbearers are Eric Keeler, Danny Trail, Brian Keeler, Terry Faulkner, Todd Hellerich, and John Casey.

Graveside services will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 30, 2020, at Egner Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home with Bro. Tim Landers officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in her honor to Gideon International, 66 Mohawk Drive, Searcy, Ark., 72143, or Allen Chapel Free Will Baptist Building Fund, 629 Allen Chapel Road, Batesville, Ark. 72501.

We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and limiting indoor visitation attendance to 50 people at one time. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks before entering. Social distancing will be observed.