Nancy J Byard

Nancy Jean Byard, 87, passed away peacefully on May 17th, 2022 with family by her side. Nancy was born in Akron, Ohio on October 31, 1934 to the late Thomas G. Reed and Ruth M. Reed. At the age of 17, on February 9th, 1952, Nancy eloped with her high school sweetheart, Gary Byard. Upon graduation from East High School, Nancy joined Gary in Germany during his deployment in the U.S. Army and returned on a U.S. Troop ship with the added bonus of battling morning sickness throughout the rough voyage. Nancy and Gary started their family, eventually having five children in a small cape cod, in an Ellet neighborhood filled with young families. Nancy’s sense of humor and hard work ethic did much to shape her family and endear her to friends and family alike. Nancy enjoyed working in her yard, international travel with Gary, and preparing meals for family parties. Her love and dedication to the Lord was passed on to her children at an early age. She was always a church member, her recent church family being the Community Baptist Church of Tallmadge. Nancy’s career at Akron City Hospital spanned over 25 years, and she made many friends along the way. Nancy is preceded in death by her husband, Gary, of 62 years. She is survived by her sons, Gary (Judi), David (Pok), and Robert (Suzann); daughters, Julie (George) Benedum and Jenny (Stef) Colas; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and sister, Judith Sarkis. The family would like to thank the staff at Mulberry Gardens Memory Care for their kind and compassionate care of Nancy this past year. Friends and family will be welcomed to help celebrate Nancy at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Rd. Akron (Ellet), Ohio 44312 on Sunday, May 22nd, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Monday, May 23rd, 2022 at 2:00 PM with one hour of visitation prior and will be officiated by Rev. Sheila Hershberger. Internment will immediately follow at Hillside Memorial Park in Akron, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made in Nancy’s name to the Community Baptist Church of Tallmadge, 274 N. Monroe Rd. Tallmadge, Ohio 44278.