Sydney Martin Kincer Byrum ("Martie") died at her home Friday, May 12th, 2017.  She was surrounded by her family and pets as she peacefully made her transition to heaven.    Martie was born in 1942 in Pulaski, VA to the late Richard and Dorothy Kincer.  She grew up in Wytheville, VA.   Her formal education started at Watts School of Nursing in Durham, NC where she met her future husband, Bill Byrum, a student at UNC-Chapel Hill.    Martie became a Navy wife as she and Bill traveled throughout the country during his military career.  She loved to travel and every transfer was an adventure that she enthusiastically shared with her three daughters.  Martie lead a very fulfilling and exciting life; she lived with passion and always had a smile and joyful heart.  She accomplished so much and recently commented that she finished everything on her "bucket list".  As a life-long learner, education was important to her and she graduated from Mary Baldwin College.  She was very proud to be a Duke Blue Devil, having earned her master's degree from the University.   Her successful career in nursing primarily centered around hospice and home health care.  Martie changed many lives; she had a servant's heart and loved to help others.   A consummate "social butterfly", she enjoyed meeting friends and family for happy times.  Even in retirement she remained active by starting a pet-sitting service, volunteering, and taking annual beach trips with her girls.  She was also a talented musician and played baritone saxophone as a charter member of the Wytheville Community College Concert Band.   Martie was loved and respected by so many and will be tremendously missed.  Her shining light will always burn brightly.

Martie leaves many to cherish her memory:  Her loving husband of 52 years, Bill Byrum of the home; daughter Michelle Smith and husband John Smith III of Philadelphia, PA; daughter Cherie Maness of High Point, NC; daughter Nicole Daniel and husband Jeff Daniel of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren Sydney Smith and John Smith IV of Philadelphia, PA; sister Rebecca Tuttle and husband Rev. Bruce Tuttle of Smith Mountain Lake, and her special aunt, Doris Kincer, of Wytheville.  There are many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and friends whom Martie also deeply loved.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 330 Church Street, Wytheville, VA on Wednesday, May 17th at 11:00 a.m. by the Reverend Bruce Tuttle and Reverend Paul Longmyer.  A reception will follow at the church fellowship hall.  There will be a private interment at a later time.  The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to all the medical professionals who cared for Martie and the countless people who supported the family throughout her illness.

In lieu of flowers, Martie requested donations to any of the following organizations:

Hospice of Southwest Virginia (600 West Ridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382)

St. Paul United Methodist Church (330 Church Street, Wytheville, VA  24382)

Good Samaritan Hospice (1160 Moose Drive, Christiansburg, VA  24073)