Lillian Rippon Byrd

In the early morning of May 8, 2015 Lillian passed away at Gilchrist Hospice Care in Columbia, MD. Lillian was 95 years old. Lillian Rippon Byrd was born in Cheriton, VA at 10:00 AM on May 24, 1919 to Lillie Hanby and William Lee Rippon. She was the fifth child born to the Rippon's. Lillian was raised on a farm on the Eastern Shore of Virginia that was just off of the Atlantic Ocean. While she was raised on a farm she would not touch the animals or work in the fields. She was near the ocean and the bay but she would not fish, crab or swim. Her chores and her passion were organizing, cleaning and arranging the house. This was something she loved and continued until her death. Her homes were always well kept; everything had its proper place. Most of her work experience was part time retail sales in women's clothing. She also was a part time model into her early eighties. She liked the work but also enjoyed the discounts she received on the clothing. One of her great passions was fashion and always being well dressed. She never had a dress down day. Lillian met her future husband, John A. Byrd Jr., on a blind date. Her niece Sue said that when she came home from her date she told her parents that she met the man she was going to marry. They were married on September 1, 1941 in Snow Hill, MD. She was a devoted and loving wife. After John had several strokes in 1981 she became his main caregiver. They were married for fifty-six years until John passed away at the age of 80 in 1997. After they were married they lived in Cape Charles, VA where their only child, John A. Byrd III (Andy), was born on May 8, 1948. The family lived in Cape Charles until they moved to Salisbury, MD in 1956 and later to Baltimore in 1963 where they lived until John retired from Conrail in 1981. They moved to Winter Haven, FL in 1983 where she lived until moving to Ellicott City, MD in 2011. Lillian loved living in Winter Haven. She enjoyed the warm weather and the opportunity to be outside and walk around the beautiful lakes with her friends. She was a Christian and active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven until she moved to Maryland. Her beliefs were expressed in the kind and gentle way she treated people. She helped to decorate the church and was a member of one of the woman's circles in the church. She delivered Meals on Wheels in the community. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her son and his wife, Carol, of Woodstock, MD survive her. She is also survived by four grandchildren; Chris Byrd of Westminster, MD, Ben Byrd of Lakewood, CO, Becky Tyler of Finksburg, MD and Katie Byrd of Woodstock, MD. Six great-grandchildren also survive her. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday May 16, 2015 at Liberty Church, PCA, 11301 Liberty Road, Owings Mills, MD, 21117. A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Cape Charles Cemetery with Mr. Andy Byrd officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Liberty Church, PCA. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com Arrangements were made by Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home in Cape Charles, Virginia.