Emily Ruth Byrd was born December 1st, 1945 to the late Willie Sr. and Carrie McLeod in Bennettsville, South Carolina. She graduated from the Marlboro County School System in Bennettsville and received her certification as a home health aid through Ludie Allied Institute. Courting since the tender age of 14, in 1964 she married her lifelong sweetheart Rev. Sylvester Byrd. Shortly thereafter, the Byrd's relocated to Englewood, NJ. To this union, four daughters were born (Debra, Michele, Marjorie & Ericka). An additional nephew (Karon) and granddaughter (Tiffani) were later raised as her own.

Throughout her life, Ruth held several forms of employment including; housekeeping, in-home health aid, child care, factory work and to the day of her departure, she was the CEO of Byrd's Cleaning Company. All of these jobs were carried out hand-in-hand with Sylvester by her side. Where you saw one, you saw the other.

Mother Byrd, as she was affectionately known, was a mighty force in every church and community that she served in. From missionary, deaconess, willing workers, women's ministry, Sunday school teacher, choir director and many other ministries; she responded to her "call to serve" without reservation. However, her greatest ministry was pinching, popping and keeping kids in line.

The word matriarch is an understatement to describe who she was to the family.

She is predeceased by both parents, a special aunt Annie Mae Grace and son-in-law Kaygee Bacote.

She leaves to cherish her husband of 55 years, Rev. Sylvester Byrd; four devoted daughters, Debra (Jerome) Hicks, Michele Byrd, Marji (Zal) Walton, Ericka Byrd-Bacote; seven grandchildren Tiffani (Dustin) James, Tyrone Belle, Tyrell (Dashuna) Belle, Sr., Jasmine Byrd, Tynaisha Briggs, Zyon Walton & Karon Singleton; honorary grands Jaquiese Bacote, Jaylon Blackford, Kia Motley, Dashon Hicks, Zal Walton, Jr.; ten great-grandchildren Taitum, Jocelyn, Kennedy & Dawson James, Layla & Tyrell Belle, Jr., Jaiyona, Shakia, Dionna & Dezuan Carter; eight siblings Virlee Singleton, Mamie (Russell) Pannell, Lois Brown, Willie, Sr. (Cassie), Ronnie, Sam, Larry, Stevie McLeod; two sisters-in-law Bessie Mae Teaste & Maggie Wixson; one brother-in-law James Byrd; beloved first nephew Andre Brown; dear friends Darla Holt, Nettie Troupe & Ann Eleston; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins & friends.

Family meant everything to her. So let her legacy live on through each and every one of us... #NobodyFaultButMine