Lesia Watson Byrd, 60, of Andalusia, Alabama entered into the presence of the Good Lord on November 8, 2025, following a heroic battle with cancer.  She was born on December 10, 1964, to Roy (deceased) and Maxine Watson.  She shared life with her sister and closest friend, LaCresia Paul, and her brothers, Logan Watson, Larry Wayne (Rambo) Watson (deceased), and Lee Watson.

Lesia  married her high school sweetheart, David Byrd, when she was 18 years old, on May 20, 1983.  Lesia and David were married for 42 years.  Together, they built their family and made a beautiful life in Andalusia.  They were blessed with two boys of their own, Justin Adam Byrd and Scotty Derrick Byrd.  Lesia and David expanded their family by opening their home to Tara Watson and Jeremy Watson, who they loved and cared for as their own children.

Over the years, life was so good for Lesia and David.  As Lesia would say, she was "always blessed."  She saw Justin grow up, work with his father David, develop skills as a builder and make his way in the world.  Justin married his beautiful wife Erin, and the two of them gave Lesia her precious grandchildren, Addyson, Micah, and Jhett.    Derrick pursued life out of the area and was always missed and loved deeply by Lesia.   Lesia loved, cared for, and prayed for Jeremy and Tara as her own children.   There was nothing she would not do for them.  Tara returned the love and blessed Lesia with three grandchildren, Emanuel, KeSean and Malikye.   She shared a special bond with niece LeAnn Canant and great-niece Jaiden Davis.   It was her grandchildren that gave Lesia such happiness.  They were her pride and joy.  She loved every minute she was able to spend  with them.  They all loved their "YaYa" so much!

Lesia will best be remembered for a deep and true love of Christ Jesus.  Her walk with the Lord was encouraged by her Granny Trudy Aughtmon.  She spent time growing up with Granny and Papa, Bura Aughtmon (deceased), in their home in the country.  She also drew much love and support from her Uncle Wayne and Aunt Carrie and her cousin who was like a sister, Caryn, along with other aunts, uncles and cousins who love her deeply.   Prayer life, hymns on Sunday, and deep family devotion defined who she was.  It was strength of family that made life worth living for Lesia.  And it was Lesia's deep faith that prepared her for life's hardest battles.

Lesia was diagnosed with cancer in 2013, and the prognosis was that she would have 6 months to live.  But, God had other plans and so did Lesia.  She faced her battles, armed spiritually.  She trusted in God's plans, but she had a passion to live and to raise her family.  She knew her time was not controlled by disease, but by her Heavenly Father.  And she took advantage of every minute.  Lesia's primary objective in life was to share the gospel and her love of Jesus Christ.  She tried in every circumstance to lead people to relationship with the Lord, and she freely shared  His promise of salvation.  Lesia left a message to us, in her own words:

"To my family and friends,

Please love like Jesus!  If you don't know Him, I pray you will invite Him into your heart and follow Him.  Please teach my grandbabies about the wondrous love of Jesus and never let them forget that there's absolutely no greater love!

People will hurt you and will NEVER love you like Jesus!

Trust Him to guide your life!  Move on from all bitterness and forgive one another as Christ Jesus has forgiven those who trust Him as their Savior.

I love you all, with all of my heart, and my greatest wish is to see you in Heaven!

Love, Lesia (YaYa)"

In her final days, Lesia was surrounded by family and friends and a loving and dedicated team of health care providers at Sacred Heart Hospital and the angels of Vitas Hospice.  The family wishes to extend the most heartfelt thanks for the tender care and trusted advice given by her doctors, nurses and staff that helped her. They treated her with such dignity during her final hours and supported the family with such kindness.

Lesia is preceded in death by her father, Roy, her brother, Larry (Rambo), her maternal grandparents, Trudy and Bura Aughtmon, her paternal grandparents, Lonnie and Obis Watson, her mother-in law and father-in-law, JoAnn and Jay Byrd, and aunts and uncles that she loved dearly.  They are rejoicing with her in heaven.

For all those left behind without her, we love her and will never forget her.  We hope to honor her by holding her words in our heart and following her example.   May the circle be unbroken.

Funeral services for Mrs. Lesia Watson Byrd will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, November 13, 2025 from Rawls Baptist Church (32469 Oakey Streak Road, Dozier, AL 36028) with visitation being held at the church one hour prior to the service. Graveside services will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather following proceedings at the home of Justin and Erin Byrd 28107 Nalls Road, Andalusia, Alabama 36421.