Evelyn A. Byrd, age 86, beloved mother, grandmother, friend to many and lifelong resident of Albuquerque, NM, passed away on July 31, 2012. Mrs. Byrd was born on January 29, 1926 to Walter and Mabel (Primo) Ellis of Albuquerque. Evelyn attended Old Town Elementary School through 8th grade, (skipping 2nd grade), and made straight As from Washington Junior High on through Albuquerque High School. Evelyn attended the University of New Mexico, completing her Bachelor's Degree in three years. While attending UNM she was a member of honor society and several other service organizations, including, Spurs and Mortar Board (secretary), Town Club Sorority (President), American Women's Society (President), PI LAMBDA THETA; Independent Counsel and Student Senate. Evelyn also received a membership in "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities." Evelyn shared sixty wonderful years with the love of her life, J.W. Byrd, who she married on January 15, 1947. Upon graduating from UNM in 1946 from the College of Education, she fulfilled her longtime dream of becoming a teacher and was offered a position teaching 2nd grade in the old North Fourth Street School. After that, she taught at five other schools in Albuquerque and for sixteen different principals. Evelyn retired in 1986 after forty years, having influenced and inspired over 1,000 young minds. Evelyn began each day in her classroom with music, sharing, and a morning message presented in a poem she'd written. Words and music were her passion. During her teaching career and into retirement, Evelyn enjoyed putting on school-wide music programs. In forty years, she missed only one year directing a music program. She usually wrote the scripts for her musicals in rhyming poetry, making it easier for children to memorize. Evelyn was also very active in the ballooning community for over thirty years and was known as Social Ambassador. Evelyn always included newcomers and made them feel welcome. Evelyn was a co-recipient of the "Sid Cutter Award" in 2001, sharing the honor with her best friend Anne Dickey. Other hobbies included playing piano and organ, gardening, working crossword puzzles, and the delightful "career" of grand mothering - her greatest love of all. Mrs. Byrd was preceded in death by her parents, her husband J.W. Byrd, her sister, Wanda Staehlin and her niece, Janet Dwyer. Evelyn will be remembered forever by her son, Jim Byrd and his wife, Teresa, her daughter, Niki Byrd-Dickey and her husband, Frank, all of Albuquerque; grandchildren Amelia-Ann, Jamie, David, Matt, Thomas and Chandler; eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, former students and friends. Services will be held on Friday, August 3, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church at 4th St. and Lead SW with Reverend David Okerberg presiding, assisted by Pastor John McClean. Pallbearers will be David Gallegos, Thomas Gallegos, Daniel Valles, Matthew Gallegos, Chandler Kinsington and Robert Pacheco. Internment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.