Joanne Ware Byrd July 11, 1942 - October 1, 2013 Joanne Ware Byrd, loyal and loving wife, mother, Meme, sister, aunt, friend, coworker, and teacher was born in Pensacola, Florida, July 11, 1942 to the late Jimmie W. and Susie Turner Ware. She lived in Milton her entire adult life with her husband of 52 years, James E. (Jimmy) Byrd, and had three children: Jamie Dubose, Wade Byrd, and Travis Byrd. Grandchildren are Adam Lockett, Kelly (Randall) Spann, Samantha Byrd, and Cameron DuBose and a great granddaughter, Kyndal Nevaeh Spann. Brothers are James Robert Ware (deceased), M. Todd Ware, D. Wayne Ware; and a Sister, Wilma Ware Shortall. Other special "family" members include Mary (Norman) Ard, Sister-in-law, Ricky Lockett, Peggy Byrd, Greg Dubose, Lori Cash, Van Price, Mason Turner, and many nieces and nephews, as well as her two dachshunds, Toby and Maggie. Joanne's career in the insurance industry started early with her first job at Fisher-Brown at the age of 18. She continued in the field with various jobs at Locklin Insurance for many years, interspersed between the births and rearing of her children, at MetLife Property and Casualty for 10 years, and AAA Auto Club for 10 years, where she retired in June of 2007. She was also an instructor for Overton - Lee Associates Insurance Licensing School for the past 20 years while working part-time with Allstate Insurance, Christina Miller Agency up until the onset of her illness in August, 2013. Her favorite leisure was spending time at "the cabin", reading, and - most importantly - tending her flock. She loved Alabama football, Elvis, and laughter. She was Jimmy's queen, her daddy's pet and her mama's mimic. Each member of her family and every friend had a large and unique place in her heart - and it was magical! The sparkle and gold was from deep within, for she genuinely loved and cared for people. She was an amazingly selfless lady! Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 4, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lewis Funeral Home, Milton Chapel. Burial will follow in Serenity Gardens Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 5 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at the funeral home. The family is indeed grateful to the Baptist Hospital Medical Group for their personal and professional care, especially Dr. German Herrera whose kind and gentle spirit flowed so freely and was so warmly received by Joanne. She is now at peace and pain free - to God be the glory!