Mrs. Kadell Whitehead Byrom of Maple Grove Rehabilitation Center passed peacefully and went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 14, 2014.  Born and raised in Unadilla, Georgia, Mrs. Byrom spent most of her 95 years as a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker.  During the 57 years she and her late husband, the Reverend Joe Henry Byrom, lived in Hapeville and later in Jonesboro, Georgia, she helped to create a loving home and family.  A devout Christian, she supported her husband in his ministry through a long life of service- enjoying singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, and participating in womenâ??s auxiliaries.  Her daughters remember her teaching them Christian values by example as well as by proverbs and other bible verses.  Likewise, she valued education as much as she did living a Christian life. She was resolute about seeing that Adnee and Betty enrolled in college and was thus assured of a better life than she and her husband knew.

Drawn to the Georgia soil, Mrs. Byrom had a passion for growing flowers, fruits and vegetables. She spent many hours working in the garden that yielded a bounty of peaches and strawberries sweet potatoes and tomatoes, and collard and turnip greens. Neighbors were known to leave Mrs. Byromâ??s garden with grocery bags laden with squash, peas, corn and okra. Flowers lifted her spirits; they kept her close to the earth.  She cultivated such beautiful rose and flower gardens that neighbors, appreciating her generosity, often took roots and sprouts to add to their gardens to make them look like Miss Kadellâ??s as she was affectionately called.Â

â??A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.â??  Kadell Whitehead Byrom met no strangers.  In her special way, she transcended ill-will and adversity-captivating others by her kindness.  For example, her loving spirit warmed hearts and helped to create in others a positive and affirming attitude.  She received a Certificate of Appreciation honoring her for her volunteer service to seniors.  Clearly she fought a good fight until the end.  Even in the face of diminished health, she remained Kadell-kind, considerate and above all, grateful.

This servant of God leaves to mourn two daughters-Dr. Adnee M. Bradford and Ms. Betty J. Sanford (John); two granddaughters-Dr. Althea B. Bradford and Ms. Aleta M. Bradford; two grandsons-Dr. Jawara A. Sanford (Monica) and Mr. Mani K. Sanford; one sibling, Mr. Tyme Whitehead, who is 104 years old and still lives in the home where he and his siblings were born in Unadilla, Georgia; nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Thanks be to God for the life of Kadell Whitehead Byrom.