Ida Byrd

Ida Margaret Byrd, of Safford, Arizona, passed away on March 12, 2026, at her residence at the age of 97.

Born Ida Margaret Brown on March 11, 1929, in Globe, Arizona, to Hiram and Eva (Haines) Brown, she spent her early years on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation where her father managed and improved the cattle industry. The family lived in remote areas of the reservation, where Ida and her brother Dan rode ponies and explored the trails. She attended one-room schools through the sixth grade before being bussed into Globe, graduating from Globe High School in 1947. She went on to earn a degree in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Arizona in 1951.

While a senior at the university, Ida met Homer Byrd. They married and shared 55 years together. After Homer completed his studies, the couple lived for several years on the Byrd family ranch in Sunset, Arizona, before moving between Phoenix, the ranch, and finally Safford, where Homer worked and retired from the Bureau of Land Management. While on the ranch, Ida returned to school to earn her teaching credentials and taught first and second grades at the Bonita Country School, driving students from ranch and farm families along unpaved roads. In 1960, she and Homer, along with their three children, began attending church services at the Bonita School. There, through Bible study, Ida placed her faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and remained an active church member for the rest of her life, particularly enjoying teaching Sunday school.

Ida later taught first grade in the Safford Schools and was among the first teachers at the new Dorothy Stinson School. She eventually resigned for health reasons but continued substitute teaching for several years. She was deeply devoted to her family and found great joy in her creative pursuits, especially quilting and sewing. She made countless quilts for her loved ones, including special “marriage quilts” for her grandchildren and baby quilts for new arrivals. Her talents extended to making clothing and gifts for children in need through Samaritan’s Purse. She also loved scrapbooking to preserve family memories, creative writing that often reflected her love of ranch life and horses, and she authored her own book, *I Want to Be a Cowboy*, as well as a song she wished to have sung at her funeral.

She is survived by her children, Fred (Bonnie) Byrd, Laurie Byrd, and James (Patti) Byrd; her five grandchildren, Troy, Travis (Joey), Tracy (David) Duffield, Leslie (Austin) Felick, and Lindsey Byrd; and her great-grandchildren, Lauren, Levi, Remi, and Rhema. She was preceded in death by her husband Homer, her parents, her brothers Dan and Eugene Brown, and her sister Nancy (Brown) Caftey.