Carolyn Jane Jordan Byrum, 78, of Carlisle, Arkansas, passed from earthly to heavenly life on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was born June 9, 1937, in Dallas, Texas, to George and Myrtle Jordan. Raised in a Christian home, she entrusted her heart and soul to Jesus Christ at an early age and faithfully followed Him all her life. She graduated from Texarkana Arkansas High School in 1954, and attended Texarkana Junior College and Baylor University prior to graduating from Ouachita Baptist College in Arkadelphia in 1958, with a B.A. in English.
She met the love of her life, Jimmy Byrum, while serving as organist at Immanuel Baptist Church, in Texarkana, Arkansas, in 1954. Married August 16, 1957, in Texarkana, they were blessed with 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren during their 58 year marriage. The Lord called her to be a pastor’s wife and she was blessed to minister alongside her husband in churches in
Fort Towson, Oklahoma, Longview, Texas, and in Texarkana, Keo, Toltec, Ward, and Carlisle, Arkansas. She was an accomplished musician, using her talents as church pianist and organist as well as teaching piano lessons much of her adult life. She loved her family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them. She also enjoyed sewing, travel, and teaching her Sunday School class.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, and by sister Mary Turner and brother George W. Jordan, III. She is survived by her husband, Rev. James D. Byrum, of Carlisle, Arkansas; 2 sons, Jerry (Sherri) Byrum of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jim (Susan) Byrum of Bentonville, Arkansas; 3 daughters, Mary Jane Byrum of Carlisle, Nancy (Philip) Posey of Fort Worth, Texas, and Ruth Ann (Tim) Blair of Carlisle; grandchildren, Julie (Joel) Stone of Maumelle, Arkansas, Kathryn (Chad) Benson of Maumelle, Daniel (Courtney) Byrum of Maumelle, Luke Byrum of Little Rock,
JD (Julia) Byrum of Bentonville, Taylor (Jamie) Byrum of Champaign, Illinois, Justin Tefteller of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Jamie Cox of Carlisle, Haley, Kristen, and Jacob Posey of Fort Worth, and Izzy and Nessa Blair of Carlisle; and great-grandchildren, Eden Grace and Isaiah Benson, Charlee Kate Stone, and Harper Byrum.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to Trinity Chapel Baptist Church in Carlisle, Arkansas, or donations made to Operation Christmas Child thru Samaritan’s Purse.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 24, from 5:00-7:00 PM, at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen, Arkansas. Memorial service will be held Friday, March 25, at 10:00 AM, at Trinity Chapel Baptist Church in Carlisle, Arkansas, with interment to follow at Walters Chapel cemetery north of Carlisle.
We sincerely express our sympathy to the family of Jim Byrum over this irreparable loss of their beloved mom, grand mom and great grand ma. However we thank God for a godly life she lived. We pray and believe that she is at rest with the Lord Jesus and will have eternal life of JOY AND HAPPINESS.. AMEN! May the Good Lord comfort those she left behind to mourn her.
Jim and Susan
As i have read Ms Carolyn’s obituary all i could think about was what an amazing legacy this fine lady has left behind. And then i thought what a wonderful week for Ms Carolyn to transition to heaven.
On Sunday as we shout He is Risen what great joy to know she is with the one she loved and so faithfully served in this life. God is good.
HE IS RISEN INDEED! Linda Swindell
Jim and Susan Byrum:
Our prayers and sympathy are with you all at this time. We thank the Lord that your precious Mother is with Him, and we rejoice that someday you will see and be with her again. Love you all so much!
Jim & Susan:
May you mother’s soul rest in perfect peace. We pray for God comfort and peace for your father and all your family members at this time. And we pray through this loss God’s name will be glorify.