Amanda Suzanne Byrd

Amanda Suzanne Vailes Byrd, age 45, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2021 after fighting a yearlong courageous battle with cancer. The family will welcome Amanda's friends and family on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Rose-Neath Bossier for visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. and services following at 12:00 p.m. Reverend Donnie Underwood of the First Pentecostal Church of Arcadia, Louisiana will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Cemetery in Haughton. Amanda was a Christmas Eve baby born and raised in Bossier City, Louisiana to Charles "Bo" Vailes and Michelle McKenzie. Amanda was part of the Airline High School class of 1993, and after high school she continued her education as a cosmetologist. As a hairstylist of over 20 years, she had the opportunity to meet many clients who became friends and had such a natural ability as a stylist. Amanda was a beautiful soul who never met a stranger. She was kind-hearted, giving, always thinking of others, and would literally give you the shirt off her back. Amanda was always the life of the party and had a smile that would light up a room. Amanda's greatest accomplishment in life was her daughter, Alyssa, who was truly her sunshine and the love of her life. Amanda is preceded in death by her mother, Michelle S. McKenzie and her father, Charles "Bo" Vailes. Amanda is survived by her daughter, Alyssa Byrd Madden and husband, Josh and Alyssa's father, Shane Byrd. She is also survived by her siblings, Katie Crawford, and husband, Jeff, Harlie O'Neal and wife, Becky, and Joey Clayton Cook; nieces, Kourtney Crawford Driskell and husband, Davis, Maggie Crawford, Madilyn and Karlie O'Neal. Also left to cherish her memory is her longtime companion, Neil Hathorn, and numerous other family members and special friends who she loved dearly. Serving as pallbearers will be Darvin Watts, Jordan McKenzie, Davis Driskell, Cade Gaydon, Carson Dye, and Sam Simmons. Although Amanda will be greatly missed, her loved ones take comfort knowing she is no longer suffering or in pain and was greeted at the pearly gates by her momma, her dad, and Papaw Mac.   I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8