Yvonne Lillias Arnett Byrd, of Buckeye, Arizona, formerly of East Bernstadt, Kentucky, was born on September 28, 1937, in Oneida, Kentucky, and departed this life on December 20, 2025. She was the beloved daughter of the late Brownlow Arnett, Sr. and Fannie Hensley Arnett.
Yvonne was a devoted educator, having earned her bachelor's degree in education and spending her career as a school teacher, a profession she truly loved. She found great joy in working with children and was known for her caring spirit, patience, and dedication to learning.
She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of East Bernstadt, Kentucky. Yvonne was a friendly and outgoing person who never met a stranger and genuinely enjoyed visiting and chatting with others. In her free time, she enjoyed genealogy research, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Orin Byrd, and her brother, Brownlow Arnett, Jr.
Yvonne is survived by her four children: David Lawson and wife Jackie of Cochran, Georgia; Karen Vandy and husband George of Topeka, Kansas; Kimberly Lawson-Byrd of Buckeye, Arizona; and Philip Byrd of East Bernstadt, Kentucky. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Suzy Lawson, Darrell Lawson, Jordan Byrd, Bradley Byrd, Savannah Byrd Withrow, McKenzie Byrd, Austin Ridener, and Nathan Byrd; five great-grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends who mourn her passing.
Yvonne will be remembered for her kindness, warm smile, love for her family, and the lasting impact she made to everyone she knew.
The funeral service for Yvonne Byrd will be conducted at 12 noon Saturday in the Bowling Funeral Home Chapel with Tom Byrd officiating. Burial will follow in Byrd Cemetery in East Bernstadt.
The family will receive friends beginning at 11 am Saturday until the funeral hour of 12 noon at Bowling Funeral Home.
Pallbearers include Austin Ridener, Philip Byrd, and Chris Vandy.
