Brenda L. Byron
June 25, 1949 ~ November 23, 2011
Born in:
Bronx, NY
Resided in:
Atlanta, GA
Brenda Loraine Byron
Dearest Brenda Loraine Byron, a stellar, award winning teacher and cherished mother passed on the eve of Thanksgiving Day to a ten-year bout with cancer at the age of 62. Born in Brooklyn, NY, to later become a revered teacher in the states of New York, Ohio and Georgia for more than 40 years, she set unprecedented records for her pupils' scores in literacy, won Teacher of the Year, and appeared on numerous national television shows including CBS Morning News and Oprah. She will always be remembered for her giving heart, avid love for reading, wit, humor, intelligence, and dedicated love for her family and friends. She is survived by her four children, Dennis, Lamont, Rashad and Simone; husband of 40 years, Dennis Sr.; mother Sybil; grandchildren Kingston and Cameron; siblings Robert, Howie and Betty; and everyone who has been touched by her angelic ways. Her beautiful spirit will remain for eternity.
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Brenda was a pleasure to have worked with at TRMS. Her dry wit and quick humor were a treat. She touched many lives with her positive, nurturing teaching and her unconditional friendship. She will be remember and missed.
I will always remember our last dinner date. We laughed and talked like old times. You told me you were tired but I didn’t know you would leave so soon. I will miss you. We always talked about there being a better place, I know you are there. I pray that the hole your children feel in their hearts will be filled with comfort from your friends.
I’M SHOUTING!
Mary
As I think about my memories of Brenda and our friendship, I am saddened to hear of her passing. We had great times during her Ithaca days. I will never forget meeting her at the old Northside House when little Dennis was a baby. Brenda will be missed. She was a loving, beautiful and giving person. Sending a hug and prayers to her family. Love & blessings.
My deepest sympathies to all of you. Many of us here at GIAC and in the Ithaca community were fortunate to know and be touched in meaningful ways by Brenda. Thank you for sharing her with so many.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Brenda’s passing. She was such a vibrant spirit–and wickedly funny. Brenda accomplished so much in her too-short life and am so pleased to know how many lives she touched with her gift for teaching. I offer my deepest sympathies to Dennis and their children.
I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you. Brenda was a beautiful sister with a great sense of humor–one special lady! She will truly be missed!
My heart goes out to you all in your time of sorrow.
Much Love Debi
My deepest sympathy to Brenda’s family. I worked with Brenda at Taylor Road and she was so nice and fun to talk to. I just regret that we had lost touch after I moved. The school district I work for currently announced her passing todayCleveland Heights, Ohioand it saddened me. May God bless your family.
You spoke your mind, loved with all your heart, and will forever remind me the power of a powerful teacher and mother! You gave me such wonderful advice ranging from parenting to family. Your love for your children and grandchildren was overflowing. May you be forever blessed with the beauty of heaven. Until I see you again… Love, Mandy
When Death comes calling, we can never be prepared, its Gods will and we can only submit to it. The loss of a mother is one of the deepest pains any human will ever endure but it is an inevitable one, its Gods will, and we can only accept it.
As we lay our dear mother to rest, may we remember how wonderful a person she was and how her love touched so many people as evidenced by the character of her children, we shall never forget what a great mother we have lost, stay strong my brothers, stay strong my sister.
We will truly miss you here at Taylor Road. You were a wonderful teacher and a true hearted friend. Your funny saying always made me smile. Just this morning we had a burning smell on the 700 hall. It was the AC unit that feeds your room. The first words we said was Brenda is messing with us saying: close the school and come say good bye to me. You will always be in our hearts. We love you. RIP until we meet again.
We will truly miss you here at Taylor Road. You were a wonderful teacher and a true hearted friend. Your funny saying always made me smile. Just this morning we had a burning smell on the 700 hall. It was the AC unit that feeds your room. The first words we said was Brenda is messing with us saying: close the school and come say good bye to me. You will always be in our hearts. We love you. RIP until we meet again.
Mrs. Byron was a Phenomenal lady and she will truly be missed. I remember having her in 7th grade and she was so loving and funny. I am in my last year of college and I now regret not going back to visit. I was in class the other day when my brother texted me the news. I instantly began to remember all of the great times we had in her class. She used to always call me Sugar and honey. I can honestly say that she was one of the best teachers I have ever had. I also just came to find out that the funeral was today. unfortunately i found out afterwards. I am definitely going to visit and pay my last repsects and thank her for being in my life. She was a lady that left an impact on all of her students. She was also a woman of strength and a fighter.
With much love,
Mitesh Chudasama
Brenda was one of my teammates her first year at Taylor Road MS. She and I formed a connection very quickly, and I always had a soft spot in my heart for her daughter. Over the years, Brenda has shared her pride in her daughter and grandson with me. Brenda’s pride and support of her children was ever-present. My fondest memories of Brenda will be the quick-witted and honest comments she would share during a brief conversation as we were standing in the rotunda. Brenda was such intelligent and funny woman, and she will be missed by her colleagues, friends, and family. It has been an honor to have known Brenda. Peace to Brenda and her family…..Leslie
I met Brenda in 1985, when we both came to Monticello Middle School in Cleveland Heights, its first year as a middle school. My classroom was just across the hall from hers. She was such a presence, both in the classroom and in the teachers’ lounge. Whatever the issue of the moment, she had compelling opinions laced with wit and humor. I felt we shared mutual respect and admiration, although I was in awe of her creativity and talent. I learned a lot from her, and still remember word for word some of our conversations. She also had a mischievous glint that could get her through even a difficult situation with grace and style. i am shocked and saddened to learn of her illness and death. I always wished I had kept in touch with Brenda. I knew through friends that she had made her mark in the field of education, and her family must be very proud of her accomplishmemts. My deepest condolences to Dennis and the entitre family.
Mrs Byron was a teacher to both of my siblings: Linda Lockett and Arthur Williams at Central Elementary School in Ithaca New York. I was very saddened to hear of her passing. She was beautiful and loving. She cared about everyone! I remember her smile, her wide rimmed glasses, and her bangels! They jingled all the time. I knew she was coming down the hall because of the jingle sound they made. She was always checking in on us to make sure we were allright. I remember little Dennis at Northside. He would be running around while Brenda helped Dennis in the office. What a beautiful love they had for eachother. It set a good exampleof unconditional committment.
We all loved her. She was the rock of GIAC. Dennis was the Director, but she was HIS manager. She kept it together.
May God comfort all those who knew her and loved her. She was a blessing to us all. Rest in peace beautiful spirit.
I am so sorry for your lost. I was one of her students in 1995 and she was the only teacher who genuinely thought I was special when no one did. That really touched my heart. I’ve always thought of her and wondered how she was doing. Sadly I found this obituary. RIP Mrs. Byron, my heart goes to your family and friends. Best teacher I ever had. She taught me that I am special.
Mrs. Byron was my fifth grade teacher at Hapeville Elementary School and I am so sad to read that she is gone. She had a huge, original personality that inspired me and greatly shaped my little world – while in her class, I made so many drawings of her and admired her as a real life superhero. She introduced us to great music, Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley were regular presences in our classroom, and she was an outspoken and fearless educator about all things in life, not just what was in the curriculum. I remember more than once she brought her daughter Simone to class and she seemed so sophisticated and clever – a mini Mrs. Byron! Almost 25 years after being lucky enough to be her student, I am now living in Brooklyn and think of her often – what would she have to say about everything? I still have my report cards from her – one says “Don’t forget me!” And I never will, she is in my heart every day.
My Deepest Condolences! Mrs. Byron was my Kindergarten teacher In Ithaca NY Mrs. Byron’s love and compassion has stayed with me all my life, I am now 48 years old but and I Remember Her very well. I had a trouble childhood and I can recall Mrs. Byron showing me sooo much love and kindness. She will be sadly missed and remembered as A Beautiful person! Sooo much light! I will Always Remember Mrs. Byron and when I do, I will Smile! I always thought of her as the Most Beautiful Woman I had ever seen! God Bless all of her family and I pray that you have piece and comfort. Knowing Mrs. Byron has changed my life if many ways. I thank God for placing her in my path .