Mary Payne Byars

Click Here To View Video Memorial TributeMary "Sis" Payne Byars, age 87, passed away Sunday morning, February 19, 2012 at her home in Batesville, MS. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Batesville, MS with visitation one hour prior to services at 1:00 P.M. with Dr. Tommy Snyder and Reverend Pat Ludlam officiating. Burial will follow in Marks Cemetery. Sis was born March 26, 1924 in Itta Bena, MS to the late McSwine Avent and Blanche Bloodworth Payne. She graduated from Northwest Jr. College in Senatobia, MS where she was chosen Most Beautiful in 1945 and voted Miss Northwest in 1946. Sis completed her education at the University of Southern Mississippi (formerly Mississippi Southern College). She taught school at Casilla and Lambert High School and was also the bookeeper for Quitman County Schools for many years. She was a faithful member of Marks First Baptist Church where she raised her family until she moved to Batesville, where she joined First Baptist Church of Batesville, MS. Sis was married to the late Joe Randolph Byars in 1951 and lived in Marks, MS until 1997 when they moved to Batesville to be near her grandchildren. Sis is survived by her daughter, Rosemary Byars Womble and husband Tom of Batesville, MS; son, Randy Byars and wife Amy of Oxford, MS; sister, Dora Payne Jones of Batesville, MS formerly of Charleston, MS and three grandchildren, Thomas and Mary Ruth Womble and Mary Sybil Byars. Preceding Sis in death was her parents, husband and one brother, Robert "Buddy" Payne. The family request anyone wishing to send memorials in Mrs. Byars memory, to forward those to the New Vision Ministry, P.O. Box 350, Batesville, MS or the church of the donors choice.