Missouri Bell Richardson Byrd, 96, of Shaw, passed away Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at the home of her daughter, Vernette Byrd Weary, in Houston, Texas. Missouri was born Oct. 22, 1928, in Sunflower County. She graduated from Indianola Colored High School and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mississippi Vocational College (Mississippi Valley State University). Missouri was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin Richardson and Missouri Blockson Richardson; husband, Benjamin Byrd; daughter, Dorphine Byrd; and son, Benjamin Byrd Jr. Missouri is survived by two daughters, Jacqueline Aquirlla Blanton (Devell) of Missouri City, Texas, and Vernette Valaria Weary (Eric) of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Ahmad Rashad Blanton (Terri), Jabari Kamal Blanton, and Devell Jelani Blanton (LaPorschia), all of Missouri City, Texas, and Eric Javan Weary of Houston, Texas; nine great-grandchildren, Zoie J. Blanton, Jelani D. Blanton, Zada J. Blanton, Taraji J. Blanton, LaNyiah J. Blanton, Jaycee E. Blanton, Zahmir J. Weary, and Jairus K. Blanton, all of Houston, Texas, and Mikayela Allen of Portland, Oregon; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and students. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at New Mount Arria Missionary Baptist Church, 93 Charlie Ellis Road, Indianola. The celebration service will begin at 11 a.m. followed by interment at Strangers’ Home Cemetery, Shaw. Repast will be at Strangers’ Home Missionary Baptist Church, 401 Martin Luther King Drive, Shaw. Services have been entrusted to: Frazier-Mitchell Funeral Service, Inc., 5002 Hershe Street, Houston, TX 77020, and Byas Funeral Home, 407 Front Street, Indianola, MS 38751.
