Aura Elizabeth Byrum

Aura Elizabeth Byrum was born in Arlington, VA on October 15, 1932 to Edna and George Stone. She was the youngest of four children and grew up in Arlington, VA. Aura suffered polio at the age of 12, but she never let that slow her down. She began college at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN but returned home to live with her mother when her father died suddenly.

She met and married the love of her life on June 19, 1954. Aura enjoyed a long and rewarding life with her husband, Burt. She was a talented seamstress, making many of her clothes, as well as those of her daughters, and even some for her granddaughters. While living in Austin, Texas she was an active member in church, singing in the choir, and participated in Christian Women’s Club. She and her husband enjoyed traveling and even spent several years living in Tokyo, Japan. While in Japan, she taught English, cooking, and Bible Study to a group of women as part of her ministry. Aura always enjoyed the arts. She loved to paint and expanded her talents in Japan to include luna flora, doll making, ink drawing, and many other arts and crafts. In later years, she enjoyed piecing quilts for her family. Aura was a member of First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches and, until she became ill, enjoyed singing with the Senior Adult Choir. She was also a member of the Nacogdoches Quilt Guild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edna and George Stone. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Dave Stone and George Stone, Jr. and her sister, Catherine Retzer.

Aura is survived by her loving husband of over 61 years, Burton O. Byrum. She is also survived by her four beloved children, Robert Byrum and wife Brenda of Columbus, Ohio, Thomas Byrum and wife Jan of Lutz, Florida, Deborah Dunn and husband T. Parker Ballinger of Nacogdoches, and Elizabeth Rush and husband Steve of Austin, Texas; six grandchildren, Daniel Byrum, Thomas Byrum, Amy Gaulding, Samuel Byrum, Laura Dunn, and Matthew Dunn; six great-grandchildren, Aidan Byrum, Isabella Byrum, Luke Byrum, Andrew Byrum, Annsley Byrum, and Oland Byrum; and numerous other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Aura was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, but more than anything she loved the Lord. She instilled in her children a love of family and a love of the Lord. She once told her daughter that all she ever wanted was to be was a wife and a mother. All would agree that her wish came true and she was a master of her chosen profession. Her family and friends are celebrating that she is finally home and at peace.

Pallbearers include Parker Ballinger, Scott Gaulding, Michael Pickard, Steve Rush, Ron Szabo, and Mark Yoder.

Visitation will be Friday, October 30, 6-8 p.m. at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in the chapel with Dr. Allen Reed officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches, Texas.