Harriett Byrd

Harriet Elizabeth "Liz" Byrd, 88, of Cheyenne died January 27, 2015 in Cheyenne. She was born April 20, 1926 in Cheyenne to Robert C. "Buck" and Sudie Rhone. She graduated from Central High School in 1944, achieved her Bachelor of Science in education from West Virginia State University and Masters in Education from University of Wyoming. Liz married James Byrd, former Cheyenne Chief of Police on August 8, 1947 in Cheyenne. Liz spent 27 years as teacher with Laramie County School District and in 1981 was elected the first black Woman in Wyoming House of Representatives. After serving eight years in the House, she was elected to the Wyoming Senate in 1989. During her tenure, she served on the Education and Transportation Standing Committees. One of her greatest accomplishments was getting the Wyoming State "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday" and Martin Luther King, Jr. City Park and Martin Luther King Street in Cheyenne. She was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral, American Legion Auxiliary, Kappa Delta Pi, Delta Sigma Theta and the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. She is survived by children, (Ret.) Col. Robert C. (Lori) Byrd, D.D.S. of Torrington, James Byrd and Linda (Meng) Byrd-Hsieh of Cheyenne; grandchildren, Justin Owen, Daniel Hsieh, David Hsieh, Matthew Byrd, Sierra Byrd and Jack Cameron Byrd, Danielle Law and Josh Burgess; great-grandchild, Carmine D'Angelo Byrd; siblings, Delores Biggs and Tommy Rhone. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother, Robert Rhone. Vigil for the Deceased will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday in Lakeview Chapel at Schrader Funeral Home. A Funeral Liturgy will be Monday 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral. Private interment of her urn will be in Olivet Cemetery. Cremation and services are under the care of Schrader Funeral Home.

Service

Monday, February 2, 2015 1:00pm

St. Mary's Cathedral

2101 Central Ave.

CHEYENNE, WY

Vigil for the Deceased Sunday, February 1, 2015 Lakeview Chapel at Schrader Funeral Home, 2222 Russell Avenue 2:00 p.m.

Interment

Olivet Cemetery

Pershing Blvd.

CHEYENNE, WY 82001