Jane Ellen Byrd

Jane Ellen Byrd, age 89, of Kirksville, Missouri died and went to her heavenly home May 17th, 2025 in Kirksville, Missouri at the Northeast Regional Hospital.

She was born December 2nd, 1935 at Matthews, Missouri, the only child of Alfred and Juanita Cunningham Byrd, both of whom preceded her in death.

Jane is survived by "her girls" Nita Jeffries, Glenda Newell, Lyn Phillips, Janie Weber and Martha Chrisman all of Kirksville with whom she shared many years of friendship marked by deep affection, devoted care and trust. Long-time friends, Dorothy and Kevin Selby of Kirksville, Missouri also had a great friendship, lasting many years. Also surviving are 2 cousins Greta (Critchlow) Scobie of Plano, Texas and Sue (Critchlow) DeWitt of Issaquah, Washington as well as many friends.

She graduated in 1953 from Matthews High School and received a bachelor of arts degree in 1956 from Central Methodist College at Fayette, Missouri and a master of arts degree in 1961 from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College at Kirksville, Missouri and had done 2 years of graduate study at Indiana University in Bloomington. She taught Spanish and English for 1 year in Rockport, Missouri High School and for 3 years in Montgomery County R2 High at Montgomery City, Missouri. In 1961 she taught English as a foreign language in Cordoba, Argentina. From 1962 until her retirement as Assistant Professor Emeritus in 1984, Jane taught English, Spanish and linguistics in the Division of Language and Literature at Northeast Missouri State University, now Truman at Kirksville.

She was a member of the Matthews United Methodist Church and a long-time board member of the Adair County Humane Society.

Jane loved animals, especially dogs, and was deeply concerned with their welfare. She greatly enjoyed fishing, handicrafts, yard work, playing bingo and cards and going to casinos with her friends. She will be missed by many.

At her request, she has been cremated with no services.