Dr. Suzanne Byrd
Dr Suzanne Byrd, 64, of Richmond, Ky., passed away Friday, November 5, 2021, at University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Ky.
Suzanne was born on August 14, 1957, in Oak Ridge, Tenn., and was daughter to the late Bill and Eva Byrd. Dr. Byrd received her Bachelor of Science degree from Austin Peay State University in both biology and chemistry in 1979. Suzanne did graduate work at the University of Kentucky, and received her Ph.D. in anatomy and molecular biology from University of South Alabama in 1987. After doing post-doctoral work at Vanderbilt University in chemistry and at Emory University in biochemistry, she joined the faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University in 1991. Dr. Byrd was a much beloved member of the department of biological sciences. She was a gifted teacher and capable of teaching in a variety of disciplines, including Introductory Biology, Cell Biology, and Principles of Molecular Biology in the curriculum of the Biology Department. In the Allied Health programs in Occupational Therapy and Nursing, she focused on Human Anatomy, Advanced Anatomy, and Neuroanatomy. She was named to Who's Who Among Americas Teachers and also received the EKU Award as Critical Thinking Teacher of the Year in 2015-2016, and the Golden Apple award in 2015. These are some of the many accomplishments that rank her as an "amazing teacher", "one of the best."
Suzanne is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Eva Byrd. She is survived by her brother, Barry (wife Vickie) Byrd of Knoxville, Tenn., uncle, Sidney Clark of Bumpus Mills, Tenn., nieces, Sarah (husband James) Darby of Nashville, Tenn., and Rachael (husband Aaron) Scates of Knoxville, Tenn., nephew Ryan (wife Calli) Byrd of Knoxville, Tenn., and great nieces and nephews, Jackson and Cassidy Bussell, Eli and Audrey Scates, Vivian and Josephine Darby, and Clark Billy Byrd. She is also survived by her many dear friends and colleagues. Suzanne was a member of Southside Church of Christ in Lexington, Ky.
There will be a visitation Thursday, November 11, at 6 p.m. followed by a service at 7 p.m. at Oldham Roberts & Powell Funeral Home. Suzanne will be buried at 2 p.m. in Fairview Cemetery in Indian Mound, Tenn., Sunday November 14, 2021.
The service can be viewed via livestream by going to the online obituary at https://obituaries.mineralwellsindex.com/obituary/dr-suzanne-byrd-1083740705 and clicking on the link. If you do decide to attend in person, due to the threat of COVID and our concern for all, it is requested that any attending please wear a mask during their visit. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Eastern Kentucky Scholarship Fund in Suzanne's name.