With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our cherished Patricia "Pat" Byard Brewer on October 29th, 2025.  Pat was a Christian, an American Patriot, a Proud Mother/Grandmother, and a Dear Friend to many.

Pat was born on the 4th of July 1940 in Evansville, Indiana, to her parents Leslie Jackson Byard and Loraine Anna (Forche) Byard.  She graduated from Central High School in June 1958 and kept engaged with her classmates, including planning and participating in many class reunions over the years.

Pat moved to Huntsville Alabama after her high school graduation, and she met her first husband James "Jim" Benford Brewer while working at Marshall Space Flight Center where she was employed until 1967.  Pat and Jim married on April 11, 1964, and they had one daughter, Catherine, in 1968.  Their marriage ended after 20 years but they kept a close relationship with their daughter and two granddaughters.

Pat continued her career as a civil servant with the Department of the Army on Redstone Arsenal and consistently received awards and commendations for exceptional performance up until her retirement in 2005.  Over her career she gained several degrees including Bachelor of Arts in English and History and Bachelor of Science in Economics and Mathematics.  During the last 15 years of her service, Pat served in the Resource Management Directorate of the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Project Office as a vital Program Analyst recognized by the US Army Materiel Command for her support during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as well as later Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.  She spent these years supporting the PATRIOT Air and Missile Defense System and received the Commander's Award for Civilian Service for exemplary performance during this time.  It was during this time that Pat fell in love and married her second husband Russell Thomas Harris who preceded her in death on April 7, 2005.

Since her retirement, Pat traveled worldwide and became more actively involved in many community organizations.  She also became involved in campaigning for her chosen candidates and was a member of the Republican Women of Huntsville with a goal to help women become effective in the cause of good government.

One of many major personal endeavors undertaken by Pat was supporting her brother, Richard R. Byard, with researching their family history culminating in a published document "Bird/Byrd Hunting in the United States".  Countless hours/days/years were spent studying documentation from the Library of Congress as well as wandering through cemeteries studying gravestones and visiting many small-town libraries across the United States.  Countless letters requesting data were sent and much correspondence was exchanged between the many relatives hoping to spark memories for further details.  As part of this research, our family's lineage back to John Bird of Virginia who rendered material aid to the cause of American Independence during the Revolutionary War resulted in Pat's induction into the National Society for the Daughters of the American Revolution.  She became a proud DAR Member on December 8th, 2012, and was active in Huntsville's Twickenham Chapter at the time of her passing.

Throughout her life, Pat was a people-person who never met a stranger.  She loved meeting new people and making friends world-wide during her travels and the many clubs she joined for her hobbies/interests including doll collecting, miniatures, floral and interior décor, and gardening to name a few.  She was a long-time member of the Huntsville Ski Club and, in addition to many year-round activities such as white-water rafting, hiking and camping, she traveled to ski resorts all over the world.  Another great interest of hers was her part-time volunteer work tutoring in schools with students of military families.  After her retirement, she continued volunteering in the Huntsville City School system tutoring children for many years.

Pat is survived by her daughter, Ms. Catherine Sanders, who works in the Chief Engineers Office at Marshall Space Flight Center.  She also leaves behind two beloved granddaughters, Miss Allison Sanders, a Software Engineer at Leidos, and Miss Emily Sanders, a student at the UAH School of Art.  Pat was very proud of her daughter and granddaughters, championing them throughout their lives and bragging on them to anyone that would listen!

Pat/Mom/Grandmama will be deeply missed by her family and many friends.  She lives on in the hearts she touched and the love she gave freely.

Visitation will be Friday, November 7th from 1:00 - 2:00 PM at Berryhill Funeral Home, followed by service at 2:00.  Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery.