Irene Byers

Background:

Growing up as a preacher?s kid, Irene Byers took an active part in church life. Her family moved from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina where her father was a missionary minister for 33 years.

She accepted Jesus as her Savior at age 10 and was baptized by her father. It was natural for her to teach Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes, and she loved to lead singing.

Later, Irene sang in high school, college and church choirs plus she directed choir.

Career & Marriage:

Irene taught elementary education for three years and senior high for five years. She met Jim Byers while she was teaching in Indiana. They were married in 1974 and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida four years later.

Irene worked alongside Jim for 24 years in their printing/publishing business until a horrendous accident in 2002 put her on disability. She also functioned as editor of their aviation publication, UltraFlight Magazine, for eight of those years. Currently, Irene is a featured speaker at church events and special interest groups, and she is a writer and copy editor.

Family:

Eight years into their marriage, Irene and Jim adopted their four children, siblings whose mother (Cora Wilson) died of cancer. The two fathers involved were unable to care for them. Irene and Jim were concerned that the children not be split up but stay together as a family, so they pursued being licensed as a foster home specifically for them.

When Cora died, the children were placed into the Byers? home immediately. A year later at the time of adoption, Steven was 13, Robert was 12, Anna was 8, and Jane was 7. A sad loss for the family was Steven?s death at age 19 in an auto-pedestrian accident.

Now Irene enjoys her four grandsons, even though they do not live close by. Robert, Jr. (14) lives with his mother in Washington state, so that gives Irene and Jim a beautiful place to visit every year. Steven (8), James (4) and Scott (one month) belong to Anna and live in Ohio, giving another vacation spot for Grandma and Grandpa.

Special Interests:

Irene is active with Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg, Suncoast Christian Writers Group, and Women of Wisdom Investment Club. She and her husband traveled early this year to Israel and Jordan with a group from Calvary Chapel. She enjoys reading and doing creative projects.