Wanda Lavoy Byrd Smith

Wanda Lavoy Byrd Smith, 87, of Vancleave and Pascagoula, MS., passed away surrounded by her loving family on August 28, 2024.

Lavoy, the youngest of four daughters, was born to Verta Lee (Flurry) and Leo Byrd on October 21, 1936.

With blonde curls and hazel eyes, Lavoy was a precocious child doted on by her parents and sisters alike. In her earlier years, she spent many an afternoon on her bike riding all around Pascagoula, many times ending up at the pharmacy where her eldest sister, Mary Etta, worked, begging for (and receiving) a chocolate milk shake. Her father, Leo Byrd, was sheriff of Jackson County in the 1950s, and the family resided in the living quarters below the Court House. She often regaled her family with tales of growing up “Mayberry style.” In high school, Lavoy met the love of her life, Bobby Smith, whom she “helped” pass Algebra. Despite the obvious flirtation (sounds better than cheating!) she tried setting him up with a friend, but he went for the matchmaker instead. They were married for almost 65 years before Bobby passed away in January of 2020.

In March of 1963, Bobby and Lavoy moved to Vancleave, where she lived her life as a homemaker and talented seamstress, who yearly sewed intricate Easter dresses for her girls, and cheerleader outfits for several squads of Vancleave Bulldog cheerleaders over the years. Early in their marriage, Lavoy worked as a teller at PMP Bank in Pascagoula, then later as a part-time checker at Holden’s grocery store in Vancleave, administrative work for the Justice Court Judge in Pascagoula, and as manager of the Bill’s Dollar Store, also in Vancleave.

A staunch supporter of her girls’ endeavors, Lavoy attended every home and away football game, both Junior High and High School, at which her daughters performed in cheer. She and her best friends were always in the stands, ringing their cowbells and doling out hot chocolate. In her later years, Lavoy was an active supporter and caretaker of her grandchildren, and loved making biscuits, cornbread and other Southern staples with them and for them -- in her active kitchen.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Verta Lee Byrd; sisters, Mary Etta Byrd, Alma Lee “Cricket” Furr and Marlene Furr; brothers-in-law, Royce and Jerry Furr; and great-grandson, Oliver Lesley.

Lavoy is survived by her daughters, Lesa (Jett) Logan, of Tampa, FL., Lori (Jeff) Hayes of Vancleave, and Lynda (Robert) Lesley of Madison, MS.; her grandchildren, Tyler (Liz) Hayes of Mantua, Ohio, Sarah Hayes of Vancleave, Alex (Kelsey) Lesley of Gulfport, MS., and Adam (Summer) Hayes of Daphne, AL.; great-grandsons, Emerson and Henry Hayes, Finley Hayes, and great granddaughter, Thomasen “Tommy” Lesley; sister-in-law, Doris Smith Thomas of Pascagoula; her special friends, Paulette and Butch Stagg of Vancleave; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins across south Mississippi and in California. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the New Prospect Campground in Jackson County, Miss.

A brief celebration of life will be held graveside at Machpelah Cemetery in Pascagoula on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 10:00am. 

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Wanda Smith.