Deborah "Debbie" Sousa Byrd

Deborah Sousa Byrd was born on March 24, 1947 to Charlie and Veta Sousa in Attleboro Mass. Debbie grew up In Norton and Attleboro and attended the local schools where she was a good student and excelled in school. Max and Carmina Sousa, Debbie’s Grandparents were very active in the Portuguese community and took their granddaughter to all the functions. They did not want Debbie to lose her Portuguese heritage.

In 1964 Charlie and Veta moved to Fresno Ca. where Debbie attended Fresno High School her senior year and graduated in 1965. She attended Fresno City College before going to work for AT&T first in operator assistance then as a Service Representative until she retired.

Debbie met her husband Bob Byrd on a blind date in 1980 they dated off and on for a few years and made the commitment in 1985.They had 30 wonderful years together and a lot of fun. No matter what it was, houseboat, classic cars, dune buggy or motorhome trips to everywhere, in the U.S. and into Canada, Debbie was all for it.

She was very close to her nieces Lisa Sousa and Heather Sousa-Wood and nephew Jason Sousa as they were growing up. She was a super aunt to Lisa’s three children.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, and her only sibling her brother, Charles (Chuck) Sousa Jr.

She leaves behind husband Robert G Byrd, niece’s Lisa Sousa and her three children. Heather Sousa-Wood and her four children, nephew Jason Sousa and two great great nieces.

Services will be at Tinkler Funeral Chapel, 475 N. Broadway, corner of Belmont and Broadway on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 11:00 AM.

Remembrance’s can be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 1330 W. Peachtree Street Atlanta, GA. 30309 or to the donor’s favorite charity.

Arrangements under the direction of Tinkler Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Fresno, CA.