Joan Marie (Gautier) Byrd

Joan Gautier Byrd, of Plantation Key, Florida, left this earthly life and began her heavenly one on Saturday, September 9, 2017. She was surrounded by her loving family at her North Carolina home on the river.

She fought a brief, lop-sided battle with lung cancer. She never smoked. Joanie was born in Miami, a second generation in Dade County. Her parents, John A. and Spec Gautier; husbands, W.M. Merriam, Jr. and Arthur Siegel, and one grandson, Jacob Parsons, all preceded her in death.

She is survived by her husband, Elliott; her children, Linda Hill (Walter), Karen Merriam, W.M. Merriam, III. ( Theresa), Tracy Rowsey ( Thomas); step children, Lynn Siegel Hodowal (O’ Reilly) and Fred Siegel; sister, Petsy G. Mezey,  brother, William Gautier (Nana), and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was a member of the Jefferson Landing Club, the J.L. Ladies Association, the D.A.R. and many groups in South Florida and the Keys.

Services will be held at the West Jefferson United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM, on Thursday, September 14, 2017 with visitation being held at 10:30 A.M., prior to the service.

Elliott and daughter, Linda, were on the front line in her struggle, backed by many family members and Hospice of Caldwell.

In Lieu of Flowers, please make donations to Ashe Memorial Hospital Foundation, 200 Hospital Ave., Jefferson, NC 28640, West Jefferson United Methodist Church, PO Box 826, West Jefferson, North Carolina 28694, Caldwell Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or a charity of your choice.

Words of comfort and remembrance may be viewed or sent to the family through our website at www.badgerfuneralhome.com.

Badger Funeral Home was entrusted with Mrs. Byrd's arrangements.