Beatrice Byers

Beatrice Arlene "Bea" Byers, age 91, of St. Louis, MI passed away Sunday, December 7, 2014 at Mid Michigan Medical Center-Gratiot in Alma, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor John Robinson officiating. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Louis, MI. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 from 5-8 PM. at the funeral home.

Beatrice was born in Beebe Township, Michigan on August 24, 1923, the daughter of Roscoe and Alice (Gary) Sanders. She married Herbert O. Edwards in 1949, and he preceded her in death in 1955. She then married Elmer Fred Byers in St. Louis, MI on February 10, 1957. He preceded her in death in 1977. Bea attended a one room schoolhouse in Beebe through the 8th grade. She worked as a waitress for many years at The Main Cafe in Alma, and worked for 26 years in group homes as a caregiver for mentally handicapped adults. At the age of 79, she finally retired for health reasons. Bea loved coffee breaks with her sisters and her nephew Walter. She enjoyed word search puzzles, and going out to eat with her family. Bea loved traveling the world to visit her daughter and family wherever they were stationed. She made her family her top priority, and was "Aunt Bea" to all who knew her.

Bea is survived by her 5 children; Randy and Jo Anne Edwards of Alma, MI, Ted and Linda Edwards of Gladwin, MI, Linda and Jim Sasse of Midland, MI, Andy Byers of St. Louis, MI, Judy and Gary Derry of St. Louis, MI, 18 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and one on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 husbands, and 15 brothers and sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gratiot County Commission on Aging. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.

Read Beatrice "Bea" Byers 's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.