Margaret Evelyn Byer, 90, beloved and loving mother of Andrew Guy Byer, Alan Dewey Byer, Holly Byer Renfrew, and Matthew Wilson Byer; departed this life on Dec. 15, 2014.
She is survived by her sons and daughter; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. In addition, a great-great-granddaughter is expected in March, 2015.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arley Wilson Byer; parents, Dewey and Margaret Hollinger; an infant son, Alexander; and her grandson, Dwight H. Renfrew III.
She was born in Lowell, Ohio in 1923, and grew up across the Ohio River in Parkersburg, West Virginia, where she graduated from Parkersburg High School. She continued her education at Morris Harvey College in Charleston, West Virginia.
Margaret was a lifelong musician and vocalist, and she and her father, Dewey Hollinger, played together in the Charleston Symphony when the family moved to that city in the 1940s. Later, she sang with the Charleston Civic Chorus; and she was active in the Charleston Community Music Association, serving as an officer for many decades. For more than 60 years, Margaret sang with the chancel choir at First Presbyterian Church of South Charleston.
An avid tennis player, Margaret was active for decades in amateur tennis leagues in the Charleston area along with husband Wilson.
For more than 30 years, Margaret volunteered faithfully with Meals on Wheels of Charleston, preparing and serving meals at their Thomas Memorial Hospital center in South Charleston.
After her husband died in August 2011, Margaret began making plans to move to Bainbridge Island to join two of her children, Matthew and Holly.
However, she suffered a catastrophic fall in the spring of 2012, an accident that could have altered her plans and, ultimately, ended her life. In an inspirational battle with grave injuries, she regained her health and recovered her mobility to the extent that she, with her children’s help, moved to Washington in September 2012. There she remained in Wyatt House until her health began to fail in October 2014. Son Matthew Byer, his wife Terri, daughter Holly
B. Renfrew, and granddaughter Emily Renfrew were with her at the end.
Plans are incomplete, though services are planned tentatively for Wyatt House; Grace Episcopal Church, Margaret’s worship home in Washington; and First Presbyterian Church of South Charleston.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends make memorial contributions to Grace Episcopal Church, Bainbridge Island; and First Presbyterian Church, South Charleston, West Virginia.
