Shirley J. Byrd

Shirley J. Byrd, 92, of Carbon Cliff, Illinois, passed away Friday, January 30, 2026, at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Visitation is 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 6, immediately followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline. The family will continue to celebrate Shirley’s life at the Hampton Heritage Center after services. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, with private burial at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Memorials may be made to QC Paws.

The former Shirley Joan Shaw was born November 13, 1933, in Wyoming, Illinois, the daughter of George W. and Carrie Mae (VanDyke) Shaw. She married the love of her life, Richard E. Byrd, on July 13, 1952, in Kewanee, Illinois. The couple shared over 47 years of happy marriage that included raising six children together before he passed away November 20, 1999.

Shirley dedicated 55 years to helping others, starting with 35 years as a CNA at Oak Glen Home in Coal Valley. After retiring in 1995, she went back to work for Oak Glen and later Hope Creek Care Center in East Moline, working as a casual aid for another 20 years. She was a proud AFSCME retiree.

She enjoyed crocheting and needlework, playing Bingo, and was an avid collector of owls and angels. Above all else, family was the center of Shirley’s life. She was a proud mother and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were truly her pride and joy.

Shirley is survived by five children, Evelyn (Allen Lynch) Steel of Hillsboro, Illinois, Paula McKay of Hampton, Illinois, Tracy (Randall) Smith of New Boston, Illinois, Randall (Jeannette) Byrd, Sr. of Moline, and Richard E. Byrd, Jr. of Colona, Illinois; 20 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and their families; and special friend, Maggie (“Millie” to Shirley) McMillan. She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Beverly Thompson; son-in-law, Shad McKay; brothers, Howard, Clarence and George Shaw; and sisters, Evelyn Robbins, Betty Janes, and Donna Moats.

The family would like to give thanks to Maggie McMillan for looking out for Shirley for many years, and everyone at Genesis Hospice (especially Kramer) for their wonderful care.

Stories and condolences may be shared on Shirley’s obituary page at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.