Sue Frances Byars passed away on Jan. 22, 2016 at ECM Hospital at the age of 80. Sue Frances was born on Oct. 6, 1935, in Walker County to John Francis Wakefield and Annie Sue Propst Wakefield. She lived in Russellville for 78 years and was a member of First Baptist Church, Russellville.

Sue Frances was preceded in death by her parents and brother, George Wakefield.

Sue Frances is survived by her husband, Jimmy Byars and their two children, Lesley Byars and Stratt Byars III and daughter-in-law Connie Byars; grandchildren Alissa Alpert, Blair Boggan, Stratt Byars IV, Anna Byars and Conner Byars, sister-in-law, Mary Emma Wakefield and nephew and niece, Turner Wakefield and Emme O’Neill, and many beloved cousins, friends and former students.

Sue Frances graduated from Russellville High School and the University of Alabama and began her teaching career at Coffee High School in Florence. She retired from teaching at the Russellville school system in 1997. For many years she taught private piano lessons in her home.

Pallbearers were Stratt Byars IV, Conner Byars, Turner Wakefield, John Wakefield, Jim Langcuster, John Langcuster, Ed Forman, Wages Forman, Brian Pace, Brent Pace, Jim Grissom and Olive Pilgrim.

Visitation was held Sunday Evening, Jan. 24 at Pinkard Funeral Home, Russellville. The funeral was held at First Baptist Church in Russellville on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 with Richard Parker and Stratt Byars IV officiating. The body lay-in-state at First Baptist Church. Burial was in Tharptown Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Russellville or a charity of your choice.