Memories & Candles
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“Jean was a gentle spirit, full of love and compassion. I will always remember her for her caring and loving ways. I am sad that she is gone but I...Read More »
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1 of 10 | Posted by: Dee Ann Drechsel - Fort Worth, TX
“Dearest family of our dear Jean.... Although we don't know each other, we knew of each other through our dear and precious Jean. She and the Colonel...Read More »
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2 of 10 | Posted by: Curtis Cole - Mesquite, TX
“I met Jean at many different events with the Byers family in Richmond. She was so proud of her grandchildren and spoke fondly of her family. We...Read More »
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3 of 10 | Posted by: myra whitener - Richmond, VA
“I cherish my time with Jean. She was a great friend, loving and always
willing to do her part in whatever was needed. I will miss her. Love, Jane
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4 of 10 | Posted by: Jane Maxwell - Fort Worth, TX
“A pretty lady, always had a smile to share. Was involved with square dancing in the NORTEX area and was always willing to do her part or even more. ...Read More »
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5 of 10 | Posted by: Charles B. & Clarice Davis
“Dear Family,
On behalf of myself ,Douglas , Susan Campbell, and Lynda
Hubble we all send our prayers to your family. Jean was...Read More »
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6 of 10 | Posted by: Marie Henderson - Arlington , TX
“In 1998, Jean, Margaret Allen, Mary Weathers and I attended the United Methodist Assembly in Orlando, Florida. We went to Disney World as well as...Read More »
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7 of 10 | Posted by: Mary Strom - Fort Worth, TX
“Jean was such a beautiful person. I always admired her lovely countenance and her enthusiasm for all of life. I know her family will miss her...Read More »
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8 of 10 | Posted by: Lois Bogusch - FT. WORTH, TX
“She lived a full life and raised three wonderful children & a legacy of grand and great-grandchildren.
Her entire family will miss her.
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9 of 10 | Posted by: Jim & Minnie Byers - Las Vegas, NV
“Love you so much!
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10 of 10 | Posted by: Tamara Porter 
- Raleigh, NC
Jean Wright Byers VanOrne, 82, passed away on June 28, 2012 in Richmond, Virginia following a short illness.
She was born in 1929 in Denison, Texas. She was the youngest of five children of Willard Ossie and Gertrude Harvey Wright and grew up on the family farm.
She moved to Fort Worth, Texas and married James E. Byers. They were married for 35 years and had three children, Tamara Byers (and Mike) Porter of Raleigh, NC, James W. (and Cindi) Byers of Richmond, VA and Earl (and Debra) Byers II of Virginia Beach, VA. She was also married to (Ret) Col. Ronald W. VanOrne for 22 years prior to his passing away in 2008. Jean was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. After 77 years in Texas, she moved to Richmond, Virginia, making her home closer to her children.
She valued family time above all else; always ready for visits and annual Christmas gatherings at Massanutten, VA and last Christmas with 4 generations in the Smokey Mountains. Her family treasures those memories.
She was an active member of Meadowbrook United Methodist Church in Fort Worth and the United Methodist Women. She enjoyed Square Dancing and served an as officer on the local and state levels of NORTEX.
She loved to travel and did so extensively. She traveled throughout the United States, visiting most states, Europe, Asia, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America. Some of her favorite memories were of cruises to Alaska, Norway, the Amazon River and even Antarctica.
She had a passion for games and was especially energized by winning. She rarely missed Bingo. Card games, board games, dominoes; she enjoyed them all and was always ready to learn a new one. Certainly some of her dearest friends the last few years were her competitors.
She very recently got herself an IPAD and joined in on Facebook! Emails, Facebook posts, pictures and videos were greatly enjoyed by her, especially these past few weeks.
Besides her family, the things in life that made her smile were seashells, seagulls, walking on the beach, being in, on and around the water. She loved visits to the zoo, museums and bird and wildlife watching.
A small memorial service will be held for her friends and loved ones in the Chapel at Dogwood Terrace Retirement Home on Tuesday, July 3. A private family service and farewell will be on Saturday, July 14, 2012 on the beach, in Virginia Beach.
