Martha Lucille Byars

Martha Lucille Byars, 94, of Abilene, passed away on December 21, 2017 at Hendrick Hospice Center. A service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Baker Heights Church of Christ with a graveside service following at 2:00 pm at the Texas State Veteran Cemetery. A visitation will be held Wednesday from 4-6 pm at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.

Martha was born on May 12, 1923 in Clovis, New Mexico to Arthur William and Gwendolyn Merle Clark.

She met Verle Wayne “Fred” Byars and married him on April 25, 1942 in Abilene, Texas. He was the love of her life and they remained married for 61 years until his passing in 2003. Martha worked at the post exchange 16 at Camp Barkely during World War 11, at the Timex watch factory and at Baker Heights Church of Christ as secretary for 9 ½ years but mostly she was a Homemaker and she did it very very well. Martha was a volunteer at the Historical Society in Merkel and at the Christian Service Center. She taught Saturday Bible School and VBS at church.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother Buddy Clark, her three sisters and their husbands Ann Willoughby & Barton, Norma Loudermilk & Hardy, and Beth VanCleave & Bill, one sister in law Mildred Ruth Tabor and husband Harlan, One brother in law Edgar Byars and wife Geneva, three nephews Errol Clark, Glenn Bowie Clark, and Johnny Willoughhby.

Martha is survived by her son, Dennis “Denny” Michael Byars and wife Barbara of Dallas, her daughter, Sylvia Karen “Kay” Davis and husband Hank of Abilene/View, a sister Patricia Ann Bateman Cooper of Katy, TX, a sister-in-law Wanda Clark of Belton, TX. as well as wonderful nieces and nephews all of whom she loved dearly. In addition, she is survived by four grandchildren, Darren Davis and wife Mandy of Anthem, Az., Damon Byars and wife Mary of Indianapolis, In., Marlee Puckett and husband Todd of Abilene, and Michael Dow Davis of San Angelo. She also has 14, Great Grandchildren that she loved greatly – Josh Puckett, Josh Byars, Ashton Puckett, Dayton White, Rachel Davis, Kylee Byars, Leigha Puckett, Daylee White, Garett Byars, Devyn Byars, Drew Byars, Zoe Davis, Bella Rose Byars and Aydon Hank Puckett.

Her life was lived to the fullest and she was very well loved. She radiated Christ’s love in all that she did. She was known for sending hand written cards for all occasions. To know Martha Lucille Byars was to love her and she will be greatly missed.

Special love and thanks to her Merkel neighbors who watched after her while she continued to live alone, to Evelyn Chappel (her best friend), her friends at Baker Heights in Abilene, friends in Dallas, and the doctors and nurses who cared lovingly for her.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Christian Service Center or Hendrick Hospice Center. Condolences can be offered to the family online at ww.pbfuneraldirectors.com.