Participants at the Ron Byrd Memorial Ceremony.
(l - r): Mark Seder, Tom Miller, Valerie Hendrix, Janie Bitner, Wanda Taylor, Charlotte Miller, Cheyenne Miller, Vicky Moya, Donna Nuchols, Madison Gallostra, Myrtle James, Leslie Byrd Moya, Sheryl Byrd Gallostra, David Allen Jr, Florence Byrd, Tyler Byrd Gallostra, Linda Lee, Scott Schehr, Theresa Schehr, Martha Frink, David Allen, Sr.
Ron clearing the area to start building the Pollinator Garden.February 29, 2020.
It was a cold morning but the sun shone and we had a wonderful turnout for the Memorial Dedication of the "Cherokee Brave" Dogwood for Ron Byrd who passed away August 24th, 2019. Ron's wife Florence (member of the Tuckaleechee Garden Club and Mary Blount DAR) was in attendance as well as several family members. Members from the Tuckaleechee Garden Club and Mary Blount DAR also came to celebrate the dedication.
Ron spent an incredible numbers hours working on the evolution of the River Walk including the development of the lower River Walk trail and the steps up to the Roadside Garden area. I am sure that Ron did all this out of dedication to the River Walk although Florence said it was her promising to take him out for breakfast after the River Walk work was done. All his hard work really paid off and the dedication showed what a special person he was.
The dedication was opened by Myrtle James of the Mary Blount DAR. Charlotte Miller gave a brief history of the River Walk and Ron's work on the River Walk. Donna Nuchols provided the group with a prayer and Ron's grandchildren took turns doing inspirational readings. After the ceremony we all went to the the Townsend Pancake House for Brunch.
Ron's memorial tree is located on the top trail, next to the "Cherokee Princess" Dogwood that was donated by the Mary Blount DAR. Plaques for both will be added later this year.
Enjoy some of the pictures from the dedication and stop by to view our new TRWA "Cherokee" Dogwood Grouping (An additional "Cherokee Chief" Dogwood will be added to the group later this Winter).
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Florence Byrd and David Allen Jr taking a walk along the TRWA showing him what Ron had accomplished.
![florence grandson]( "florence grandson")
Florence Byrd and David Allen Jr taking a walk along the TRWA showing him what Ron had accomplished.
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Myrtle James - Mary Blount DAR - Presents opening remarks at the dedication.
![opening remarks]( "opening remarks")
Myrtle James - Mary Blount DAR - Presents opening remarks at the dedication.
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Charlotte Miller gives the history of the TRWA and Ron's accomplishments in helping in making it what it is today.
![charlottetalk]( "charlottetalk")
Charlotte Miller gives the history of the TRWA and Ron's accomplishments in helping in making it what it is today.
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Donna Nuchols, Mary Blount DAR, provides a dedication prayer.
![readings1]( "readings1")
Donna Nuchols, Mary Blount DAR, provides a dedication prayer.
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Cheyenne Miller presenting an inspirational reading.
![readings2]( "readings2")
Cheyenne Miller presenting an inspirational reading.
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Tyler Byrd Gallostra presenting an inspirational reading.
![readings3]( "readings3")
Tyler Byrd Gallostra presenting an inspirational reading.
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Ron Byrd Family
(l - r): David Allen Sr, David Allen Jr, Leslie Byrd Moya, Cheyenne Miller, Vicky Moya, Florence Byrd, Sheryl Byrd Gallostra, Tyler Byrd Gallostra, Madison Gallostra
![byrdfamily]( "byrdfamily")
Ron Byrd Family
(l - r): David Allen Sr, David Allen Jr, Leslie Byrd Moya, Cheyenne Miller, Vicky Moya, Florence Byrd, Sheryl Byrd Gallostra, Tyler Byrd Gallostra, Madison Gallostra
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Members of the Mary Blount DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and CAR (Children of the American Revolution).
(l - r): Valerie Hendrix, Donna Nuchols, Janie Bitner, Wanda Taylor, Cheyenne Miller, Florence Byrd, Madison Gallostra, Linda Lee, Tyler Byrd Gallostra, Charlotte Miller, Myrtle James
Members of the Mary Blount DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and CAR (Children of the American Revolution).
(l - r): Valerie Hendrix, Donna Nuchols, Janie Bitner, Wanda Taylor, Cheyenne Miller, Florence Byrd, Madison Gallostra, Linda Lee, Tyler Byrd Gallostra, Charlotte Miller, Myrtle James
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Members of the Tuckaleechee Garden Club
(l - r: Charlotte Miller, Mark Seder, Janie Bitner, Wanda Taylor, Florence Byrd, Linda Lee , Theresa Schehr, Scott Schehr, Martha Frink
Members of the Tuckaleechee Garden Club
(l - r: Charlotte Miller, Mark Seder, Janie Bitner, Wanda Taylor, Florence Byrd, Linda Lee , Theresa Schehr, Scott Schehr, Martha Frink
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Participants at the Ron Byrd Memorial Ceremony.
(l - r): Mark Seder, Tom Miller, Valerie Hendrix, Janie Bitner, Wanda Taylor, Charlotte Miller, Cheyenne Miller, Vicky Moya, Donna Nuchols, Madison Gallostra, Myrtle James, Leslie Byrd Moya, Sheryl Byrd Gallostra, David Allen Jr, Florence Byrd, Tyler Byrd Gallostra, Linda Lee, Scott Schehr, Theresa Schehr, Martha Frink, David Allen, Sr.
![dedicationparticipants]( "dedicationparticipants")
Participants at the Ron Byrd Memorial Ceremony.
(l - r): Mark Seder, Tom Miller, Valerie Hendrix, Janie Bitner, Wanda Taylor, Charlotte Miller, Cheyenne Miller, Vicky Moya, Donna Nuchols, Madison Gallostra, Myrtle James, Leslie Byrd Moya, Sheryl Byrd Gallostra, David Allen Jr, Florence Byrd, Tyler Byrd Gallostra, Linda Lee, Scott Schehr, Theresa Schehr, Martha Frink, David Allen, Sr.
