Obituary of Melinda B. Byers

Melinda Bumgarner Byers, age 59, of Tweetsie Trail, Banner Elk, the Foscoe community, passed away Friday, December 27, 2013. Born August 6, 1954 in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of Pansy Fox Aldridge and the late Clifford Bumgarner. Melinda was a member of Grace Baptist Church in the Foscoe community. She was previously employed at Shadowline and TRW, and most recently owned and operated Buff and Shine Cleaning Service. Her love was her family and her greatest passion was her grandchildren. Ms. Byers is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Renee Sluder and fianc�, Frank Cuyler; three granddaughters, Belinda Ward and husband, Caneido Deluna, Erica Ward, and Lexie Curry; and great-grandson, Anthony Ward, all of the Foscoe community; her mother, Pansy Fox Aldridge of the Foscoe community; and three brothers, Billy Joe Bumgarner and wife, Marie, of Vilas, Frank Bumgarner and wife, Mary Jo, of the Foscoe community, and Boyce Bumgarner and wife, Loretta, of Abington, Va. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Eric Dwayne Sluder. Funeral services for Melinda Bumgarner Byers will be conducted Monday afternoon, December 30, 2013, at 2 o'clock at Grace Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Jeff Fox and Rev. Burl Greer. The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 12:30 until 2 o'clock, prior to services, at the Church. Burial will follow in the Foscoe Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family, in care of Austin and Barnes Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Byers family.