BYRD-BRANHAM, Shirley E., age 89, departed life on earth on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. She was born in Dayton, Ohio and attended Dunbar High School. As a housewife, she loved to spend time with children, their friends, and neighbors in Edgemont. She also had a passion for painting around the house and feeding stray cats. Civic engagement in the West Dayton community was important to her and she volunteered in many ways. Known to many as Evangelist Shirley Byrd for her dedication to missionary work, she loved to spread the Gospel through prayer, service, and singing. She was a member of St. Mary’s Spiritual Church in Dayton, and later changed to Church on the Rock Ministries, Inc. in Dayton. Singing and traveling with the Hallelujah Choir brought joy to her heart. For a few years, she served as one of the faithful volunteers with First Fruits Community Outreach at Mt. Enon Missionary Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her father, Otis G. Byrd; mother, Lula May Byrd, former husband Morton Branham, Sr., and granddaughter, Michelle Byrdsong. She leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Marcella Byrd; sons Morton (LaTonya) Branham Jr., and Otis Branham (Brenda); grandchildren: Marcie (Carl) McCoy, Melody Byrd (Dale), Cortney Branham, Otis Branham, Jr., and Stephanie Monie; great-grandchildren; great-great grandchildren; devoted friends, Edna Jones, Bishop Lillian Tyner, and Bishop Emma Curtis White; and numerous extended family members and friends. Visitation will begin at 12 p.m. Friday, April 15, 2022. Funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. at Mt. Enon Missionary Baptist Church, in the J. F. Cunningham Family Life Center, 1501 W. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way (W. Third St.). Pastor Cory J. Pruitt officiating. (Mask required) Mt. Enon’s livestream will be available for online viewing during the service. Interment: West Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to THOMAS FUNERAL HOME, 4520 Salem Ave. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.thomasfunerals.com