Shirley Anne Ward Byrd, 90, of Statesville, N.C., has entered the Kingdom, triumphant. She passed peacefully on February 4, 2026, at the Gordon Hospice House, six and a half weeks after her husband of 72 years.

Shirley was born May 20, 1935, in Spindale, N.C., to the late Howard Franklin Ward Sr. and Faye Ledford Ward. She was a member of Western Avenue Baptist Church for 67 years where she served in Vacation Bible School, Auxiliary (Wife of a Gideon), nursery, women’s prison ministries and grief share.

Upon graduating from R. S. Central High School, she enrolled in nurse training, desiring to care for and advocate for patients. Instead, she chose to marry the love of her life and have a family. She dedicated herself to caring and advocating for them as wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a homemaker known particularly for her culinary skills, developing her cookbook, “Cooking With Mimi,” at her family’s request, and always putting others before herself.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Earl Byrd; son, Robert Mark Byrd; and brother, Howard F. Ward Jr.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Susan Long (William) of Bermuda Run, N.C.; granddaughters, Gretchen Guy (William) and Bobbie Garland (Cody); great-grandchildren, Grace, Faith and Gabriel Guy and Charlie and Everett Garland; sister, Peggy Ward Axley; sister-in-law, Wilma Byrd Allen; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on February 12, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at Western Avenue Baptist Church with Dr. Andy Lackey officiating. Music will be provided by Rodney Harrison. A Private family burial will follow at Iredell Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be William Guy, Gabriel Guy, Cody Garland, Everette Garland, Franklin Ward and Curtis Ward.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Equipping With Truth, c/o Rusty McLelland, 119 W. Broad Street, Statesville, NC 28677, or Western Avenue Baptist Church, 1206 Museum Road, Statesville, NC 28625, or Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625, or The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.

Special thanks to the Gordon Hospice House and Dr. Andy White and staff for Shirley’s care.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.