Carolyn Byrd Shield

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Mrs. Carolyn Byrd Shield, 78, walked into the open arms of her “honey,” Greydon W. Shield, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, while surrounded by her loving family. Born June 30, 1941, in Hampton, Va., she was a daughter of the late Carlton James Byrd and Virginia Lee Powell.

Mrs. Shield was a licensed cosmetologist and owned and operated a salon in Oak Hall for many years. In 1984, she gave up her shears and began running the family business, Corbin Poultry Farms, in Parksley, alongside Greydon. For more than 25 years, they operated a successful farm, raising chickens for Tyson Foods, Inc. Following retirement, Mrs. Shield continued working as a substitute teacher for Accomack County Schools and always looked forward to days spent shaping young minds. She was a former member of the Woman’s Club of Accomack County and the Nelsonia Moose Lodge, where she was active in planning and organizing their Saturday night dinners.

A life defined by love, laughter and joy, Mrs. Shield’s presence was a blessing to all, as she made sure family and friends were always a priority. She cherished the memories made during the many NASCAR races she and Greydon attended with Jan, Toby, Eddie, and Nancy. Christmas was the highlight of her year because it brought all of her favorites together – her beautiful family, sharing a wonderful meal, and of course, her perfectly decorated Christmas tree. It was no secret to everyone that Carolyn loved Greydon and her children beyond measure, but nothing compared to the joy and affection she felt for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Lee Ellen Young and husband, Wayne, of Mearsville, Va., and Stewart Shield, of Mappsville; sister, Brenda Barnes, of Exmore; brother, Carlton James Byrd Jr., of Melfa; grandchildren, Matthew Young (Katie), Mariah Shield Thomas (Shawn), Stephanie Young (Nicholas Brisco), and Maranda Shield; great-grandchildren, Raegan Thornes, Ella Thomas, and Wesley Birch; adopted daughter, Estella Cruz; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by sisters, Martha Lee Parks and Nancy Stapleford.

A gathering of family and friends, to celebrate Mrs. Shield’s life, was held at the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020.

In honor of her love for children, contributions in Mrs. Shield’s memory may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Center (JDRF), 291 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (www.jdrf.org/donate), or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org/donate).

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements were made by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.

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