ATHENS, Ohio –– Gloria Davis Byard, 103, of Athens died Monday, August 25, 2025 at the home of her daughter in Grove City. Born February 28, 1922 in Cleveland, she was the daughter of the late Errett A. and Bertha E. (Williams) Davis.
She and her family moved to Athens in 1937. She was a graduate of Athens High School, class of 1940. She was a Christian and attended Pleasant Hill Outreach Church. She married her husband, Glenn Byard in 1942. He preceded her in death in 1961.
She worked for several businesses in Athens, the last being McBee’s . She left Athens in 1973 to work as a house parent at the Ohio Veterans Children’s Home in Xenia. She retired from there in 1982 and returned to Athens in 1995. Gloria greatly loved her Lord, her family and friends, enjoyed reading, bowling and playing the piano.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her daughter, Beverly Jean Lapp; a grandson, Jeremy Sanborn; her step mother, Mary Woodrow Davis; a sister and brother in law, Marilynn (Paul) Porter; a brother and sister in law, Eugene (Virgene) Davis; a brother in law, Joe Maffett; a sister and brother in law, Beverly (Robert) Webb; and two step brothers, Jerry Woodrow and John (Jane) Woodrow.
Gloria is survived by two daughters, Rita (John) McBrayer of Grove City and Elaine (Rocky) Sanborn of Athens; eleven grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; six great, great grandchildren; a sister, Clara Maffett of Dayton; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be conducted 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept 3, 2025 at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, with her son-in-law, Rocky Sanborn, who officiating. Friends may call 10 a.m. Wednesday until time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Athens Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews or Jewish Jewels. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
