Patricia Darlene Byrd, age 79 of Malvern, died Sunday, July 18, 2021, at CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock.  She was born on September 30, 1941, in Hot Springs to the late Harold Wayne Blair and Mary Frances Coleman Blair.  She attended Poyen Schools, graduating from Poyen High School.  Darlene was a homemaker and the widow of the late Ollie Everett Byrd, to whom she was married on May 23, 1959, in the Big Creek Community.  He preceded her in death on January 2, 2011.  Darlene was a Christian.  Her life was exemplary of one who loves the Lord and lives by His word.  She was blessed with the ability to raise beautiful flowers and grow vegetables with which to feed her family and friends.  She planted more trees over the course of time than any of her children can count.  Many of her friends and family members were fortunate enough to be gifted knitted items which Darlene lovingly created.  Darlene committed herself in tithing to her church. She had a prayer list by which she prayed daily, for hours at a time.  A true friend indeed, you could see the love of the Lord in her eyes!

Darlene leaves behind a son, Norman Byrd and his wife, Karen of Malvern; twin daughters, Lanna and her husband, Lucas Rhodes of Malvern, and Jennifer DeLoach Wise and her husband, Andy of Vilonia; daughter-in-law, LaDonna Byrd of Malvern; two sisters, Susie Stinson of Malvern, and Rita Jo McGee of Mt. View; ten grandchildren, Brittany Jones, Stephanie Rios, Steven Byrd, Shanna Gray, Kyle Byrd, Ashley Mimbs, Justice, Jaden, Mason, and Maddox DeLoach; and by 11 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by a son, Tracy Byrd, and a sister, Sharon Kay Dean.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday morning, August 7, 2021, at ten o'clock, in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Brother Kevin Hunt officiating.

A Prayer Warrior had been called home!

Due to increased risks caused by the COVID Delta Variant, masks will be required, and social distancing is strongly suggested.