Shelby Byrd

Shelby Jean Dunaway Rushing Byrd, age 82, went to be with her Lord on July 5, 2020 in Gulfport, MS.

She is preceded in death by her parents, XL and Alice Dunaway; first husband, Luther H. Rushing; late husband, George H. Byrd; brother, John C. Dunaway; and stepson, Paul Byrd.

She is survived by her daughters, Shelby Darlene Bates and Linda Faye Moody (Steve), both of Gulfport, MS; stepdaughters, Georgia McCurdy (Howard) of Gulfport, MS, Paula Cochran (Ronnie) of Waynesboro, MS, Angie Riley (Don) of Waynesboro, MS; stepson, George H. Byrd of Gulfport, MS; grandchildren, Robert “Robby” Bates (Michelle) of Gulfport, MS, Larry “Jeryn” Bates, Jr. of Pascagoula, MS, Michael Taylor, Jr. of Gulfport, MS Steven Taylor of Gulfport, MS, Michael Moody (Maria) of Bogalousa, LA, Matthew Moody (Ashley) of Daphne, AL, and Melissa Moody (Chris) of Gulfport, MS; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Kaleigh, Ella Claire, Loxley, Brinkley, Lawson and Bryson Bates, Madison Moody, Linny Moody of Daphne, AL, Kaia and Gracie Taylor, Destinee Houston, Mandi Ford of Clinton, MS, Alex and Lexi McCurdy of Gulfport, MS, Steven Byrd of Waynesboro, MS, Katlynn Huddleston (Joel) of Niceville, FL, Amanda Williams of Waynesboro, MS , Gabriel and Grant Byrd of Gulfport, MS; great great grandchildren, Noah Holland and Nala Houston; brother, Robert A. “Bo” Dunaway (Carolyn) of McComb, MS; and several nieces and nephews.

She attended Fernwood High School in Fernwood, MS and moved to Gulfport in 1954. She worked in insurance and real estate, Gulfport School System and in 1975, she and her husband owned and operated S&B Truck Escort Service. After his death, she continued the business until her retirement in 2003. She joined several organizations such as Elks BPOE #978 in Gulfport. She was the first Lady Elk in the Gulfport Lodge, held office of Esquire for 2 yrs and Lecturing Knight and Tiler. She was also the first Lady Elk to become Mardi Gras Queen in 1999. She was a member of Joe Graham Unit 119 American Legion Auxiliary, serving on many committees such as Chaplain, National Security, Executive Board, Historian, Community Service, VA Christmas gift shop and Department VA Deputy. She served in several Mardi Gras balls portraying many characters and was Mardi Gras Queen in 2003. In 2006 she was chosen as Unit #119 Member of the Year, then was chosen by the Department to represent the State of MS Woman of the Year, going to Nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was a member of 8/40 Harrison County Salon 218, which sponsors children with cystic fibrosis and lung and respiratory diseases. She has served as Salon and Department Chapeau, Salon and Department Chaplain. She was a life member of DAV Chapter 5 Auxiliary in Gulfport. She was a member of Woolmarket Baptist Church in Biloxi and loved her church family, especially her Ladies 5 Sunday School class.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2020, at 11:00 AM, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd. Gulfport, MS. Entombment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Woolmarket Baptist Church.

Due to regulations from the State of Mississippi regarding COVID-19, only 50 attendees can enter the funeral home, where social distancing must be practiced, and masks are requested to be worn.

www.riemannfamily.com