Wanda Elaine Byrd

Wanda Elaine Byrd was born on January 20, 1967 in Newberry, South Carolina to Mattie B. Gary and Woody Goggans. She attended Newberry High School and graduated from Piedmont Technical College. Wanda was a true Newberry native.

By profession she studied and earned her Criminal Justice Degree/Security License in which she worked as a Lieutenant for over 15 years. However, if you knew her personally you would have thought she was a comedian. Wanda was a joy to be around and truly the life of any party. She enjoyed listening to music, watching outdated movies, dancing and having a great time. She was employed by Tyger River Correctional Institute with 15 years of dedicated service. She was a member of Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. She was associated with several security facilities in Jacksonville, Florida.

Wanda loved and enjoyed planting flowers and vegetables. She was also a wonderful cook. She would cook soul food dinners, collard greens, mustard greens and oxtails. She loved the set it off with a side of onions and cucumbers with vinegar. She loved her son, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leonard Byrd and Clara Byrd; mother, Mattie B. Gary; father, Woody Goggans; uncles, Thomas Byrd, Y J Byrd (Mary), Leonard Byrd, Jr.; Leroy Byrd; aunt, Lillie Mae Gary (Arthur).

Wanda leaves memories to be cherished by her son, Darrius J. Sheppard and a host of other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 1:00 PM in the parking lot at Calvary Baptist Church.  All in attendance are asked to wear a mask or face covering and to practice social distancing.

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