Marilyn Rita Haley Byrd

Marilyn Byrd, lovingly known as "Nannie", passed away on August 23, 2025 surrounded by her family.  Although she spent more than a decade living with dementia, her caring and loving nature always shined bright.

She was born Marilyn Rita Haley at her family home in New Orleans, LA on February 2, 1938.  After graduating from college, she moved to Shreveport, LA and began her teaching career.  Soon afterwards, she met her husband Harold Julian Byrd and settled in Bossier City, LA where they raised two daughters, Shannon and Stephanie.  She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, and teacher who always gave everything she had to those around her.  She supported the interests of her daughters as a Girl Scout leader where they enjoyed many wonderful (and wet) camping trips.  For more than ten years she served as head seamstress for the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet creating and fitting costumes for the entire company.  She loved seeing her costumes come to life on stage.

Her love of teaching was on full display at Sun City Elementary where she taught first grade for 31 years in the same classroom.  One of her former students even returned to teach next door which brought her great joy.

After her husband passed away and she retired, she moved to Wichita, KS to be closer to her family.  She was so proud of all three of her grandsons and attended all of their activities and events.  She became a fan of triathlons, cross-country, tennis, hockey, jazz, choir and so much more.  The love and support that she showed them played a large role in the men that they have become.

She still found time to adopt Lily, a dachshund/beagle mix, who became her constant companion.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Harold, brother George, and sister Barbara.

She is survived by her two daughters Shannon Luttgeharm (Clint), Stephanie Edwards (Philip), three grandsons Kyle Luttgeharm (Jennifer), Todd Luttgeharm (Elizabeth Marsh), and Matthew Edwards, and four great-grandchildren Elaina & Sam Luttgeharm (Kyle) and Nora & Ada Luttgeharm (Todd).

Marilyn's smile, wonderful hugs, and unconditional love will be missed by those who were lucky enough to know her.