Mary Ruth Byars Lynch

Mrs. Mary Ruth Byars Lynch of Corning, died September 10, 2012 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Mrs. Lynch was born to James T. and Ada Reynolds Byars in Jonesboro on September 14, 1923 and raised in Jonesboro, where she graduated from Jonesboro High School. On December 11, 1943 she married the love of her life, Dan Thomas Lynch in Fort Bragg, NC. During WWII. They met at Arkansas State University. A resident of Corning for 63 years, Mrs. Lynch was a homemaker, wife and mother. She was an active member of The First Baptist Church for 63 years, serving as Director and as President of the Women's Missionary Society. She taught in Bible School classes for many years and directed the music in Bible School in her later years. She sang in the FBC Choir for 63 years and taught the Fidelis Sunday School Women's Class for 27 years. She also served on various committees in the church throughout the years. She loved her church and serving God and his people. Mrs. Lynch was also active in the community. She was a past member of 2 bridge clubs in Corning, a member and past president of The Wednesday Club and past president of The Literary and Garden Club. She volunteered at school when her children were young and was active in the Corning PTA. Mrs. Lynch served on the first city committee to raise money and purchase Christmas Lights for Corning. Other activities included working at the 4th of July Picnic for many years, and volunteering at the Corning Nursing Home in recent years. She was actively involved in her two daughter's activities while they were in high school and college and attended all her grandson's sports events, academic awards ceremonies and his high school, college and law school graduations from the University of Arkansas. She was affectionately known as "Nanny" to her grandson and his friends. She always had a smile for everyone and loved visiting with people. In years past she and her husband traveled extensively and spent many winters in Florida with her family and friends. She is survived by her husband Dan of the home, two daughters, Dana Ruth and Fred Brown of Corning, Trisha Elizabeth and Jim Dixon of Tampa, Florida; one grandson Brandy Lynch and Kelli, great-granddaughter, Ainsley Susanne, and great-grandson, Witt Edrington Brown all of Jonesboro. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, William Spencer and James Aldon Byars. Visitation for Mrs. Lynch will be Wednesday, September 12, from 12-1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Corning at Third and Olive Street. A service of celebration for the life of Mrs. Lynch will begin at 1:30 at the Church with Dr. Rusty Keltner presiding and Mrs. Thelma Rockwell leading the congregational singing. Pallbearers will be Truman Moore, Thad Clark, Michael Smith, Terry Rapert, Cliff Gifford and Zach Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Moore, Amos Baker, F.B. Manatt, Dennis Cate, Ralph Crafton and Joe Jett. Memorials may be made to The Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, The First Baptist Church of Corning or St. Jude's Children's Hospital of Memphis.Online condolences may be made at www.ErmertFuneralHome.com.