Katherine G. Byars

Katherine G. Byars, 99, of Greer, wife of the late James Lex Byars, Sr., passed away September 2, 2024. Born in Greer, South Carolina on November 2, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Martin Gantt and Grace Velma Smith Gantt. Kat was a mother of two when Lex Byars went to fight in WWII. After the war, she worked at J.P. Stevens Victor Plant for 25 years, retired, and worked another 15 years at Winn Dixie. She was a farmer’s wife throughout these years. Kat was a member of Greer Country Club for many years and was very active in the Ladies Golf Association. She made a hole-in-one at the age of 70. She was a member of Fulton Presbyterian Church for over 70 years, and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren every chance she got. Kat had many pets throughout her life, but Hobo was the most recent, and a favorite, and he misses her too. Absent in the body, present in the Spirit with Jesus. She is survived by her four children, Linda Kaye Bishop of Taylors, South Carolina, Joan B. Smith of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, Mildred B. “Mickey” Poole (Perry) of Orlando, Florida, and James Lex “Jimmy” Byars, II (Sarah) of Greer, South Carolina; 13 grandchildren, Lee Bishop (Jennifer); Carey F. Smith, Jr., Scott Smith (Robin), Tim Furr (Melissa), Elizabeth Poole, Anna Manuel (David), Nathan Poole (Silvia), Ben Poole (Tori), Jay Byars (Amber), Jessica Groves (Austin), Joni Byars, Kim Hernandez (Oscar), and Jason Daniels (Josefina); 23 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Also preceding her in death are five sisters, Georgia Lister, Mildred Scoggins, Reba Hawkins, Margaret Dillard Crain, and Nell Childers Miller; one brother, Roy Gantt; and two sons-in-law, Carey F. Smith, Jr., and Donald L. Bishop, Jr. Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m. Monday, September 9, 2024, at The Wood Mortuary Chapel conducted by Mr. Perry Poole. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Visitation will be held 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. Monday, September 9, 2024, at The Wood Mortuary. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. The family is at the home. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Katherine G. Byars

November 2, 1924 - September 2, 2024