Cheryl Byers, 75, passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at the Indian River Center in West
Melbourne, Florida. A private service will be held at a later date.
Cheryl was born January 9, 1945 in Lake City, Florida. She was the daughter of Wiley and
Polly "Ladybug" Hammond. She was preceded in death by her parents and also by her sweet
and much loved daughter, Deborah Kristin Byers. Cheryl was of the Presbyterian faith.
Mrs. Byers taught in the Tift County School System in Tifton, Georgia. She was an excellent
educator and still has many former student's who contacted her on a regular basis. She
received an Associate's Degree from Abraham Baldwin College and a Bachelor's Degree from
Valdosta State University. During her career, she was honored with Teacher of the Year and
Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence awards in the Tift County School District.
She also was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society and nominated twice to Who's Who
Among America's Teachers. As well as teaching, she had a passion for helping kids. She was
very involved with students as a Cheerleading Coach, Cub Scout leader, Brownie's leader, and
Girl Scout leader. Other organizations she was involved with included United States Power
Squadron, where she taught safety courses, PADI certified scuba diver, South Seas Cruising
Association, East Coast Sailing Association, and the Seven Seas Cruising Association.
After teaching for almost 17 years, Cheryl and Ed sailed off into retirement and enjoyed almost
another 15 years sailing and enjoying each other's company, sunrises and sunsets, as well as
forming close bonds with old and new friends.
Cheryl is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Ed Byers, of West Melbourne, Florida.
She is also survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Delene Byers of Tifton, Georgia;
four grandsons, Matt and Shiree Davis, Justin Byers, Will Byers, and Cole Byers; a new
great-granddaughter, Riley Anne Davis; and, her sister and brother-in-law, Kim and Paul
MacLean of Jacksonville, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends may donate to the Alzheimer's Association or a Hospice
Care organization of their choice in her memory