Violet Maxine Byers

Violet “Veezie” Maxine Byers, of Claysville, passed on October 28, 2025, in Donnell House. She was diagnosed on her 83rd birthday with cancer, having never been hospitalized with illness in her life. She continued to enjoy a “healthy life” in the three years since her diagnoses and until May of this year, lived, by all accounts, an active life. She was blessed!

She was the youngest child of Clyde and Helen Kelley, and a 1957 graduate of Trinity High School. In recent years she enjoyed gathering with her former classmates for breakfast.

She was married for 39 years to Donald Byers, who passed in June 1997 after a 13-year illness. She lovingly and selflessly cared for Don throughout his lengthy illness.

Having worked in her younger years for Brockway Glass, she then quit to raise her family. Once her sons were grown and her husband became disabled, she returned to work, first for Industrial Gasket & Shim, and in 1990, went on to become a housekeeper for many families. She held fond memories of crafting with her “Homemakers Club” years before and also enjoyed gardening and canning.

Surviving are two sons, Donald E. (Dana Orzolek) Byers of Dallas, West Virginia, and Timothy S. (Janey Wigman) Byers of Claysville; grandchildren Hilary Byers (Daivon Jackson) of Houston, Zeb McNett of Carmichaels, Rachel Byers (Sheldon Clayton) of Coraopolis, and Josie (Tristan) Mortan of Craigsville, West Virginia; and great-grandchildren, JJ Piatt, BraeLyn Ardeno, Myles and Reese Jackson, Stetson and Leotti Mortan and Yarrow Clayton. She dearly loved her many nieces and nephews, which included Buck Moriarty, who was diligent in calling and “shooting the breeze” with her. She was a gifted phone talker and enjoyed those conversations with many.

In addition to her husband, she was too-soon, preceded in death by her oldest granddaughter, Brandi Byers, and a great-grandson, Marcus Clayton. She was also left to mourn the memory of her nieces, Nan Davidson, Debbie Moriarty, Pam Maize, and Judy Baumgardner Oliverio.

She was a proud baby sister to Paul Kelley, Bill Kelley, Christina (Teany) Bruckner, and Helen (Honey) Baumgardner, all who have since passed. “Veezie, Honey, & Teany” were all given their nicknames by their Dad and those nicknames lasted a lifetime. She was baptized in August of 2025 and was eager for the joyous reunion with her family in Heaven, whom she missed dearly.

In 1998, at 59 years old, she felt blessed to have reconnected with a former classmate, a high school “boy,” Leroy (Doby) Feather of Washington. Together they enjoyed 27 years of love, laughter, and adventure. She labeled him as the “love of her life.” They traveled to London and Aruba, each place twice, to the Grand Canyon, and many places throughout the country. Doby enriched her life in ways that she could not have imagined prior, and she was so grateful for the time they shared together. She also loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren very much.

To quote “Veezie” in the months before her passing, “I’m not afraid to die, I just don’t want to,” leaves one with a peace that, no matter the ups and downs of this life, it is still worth living and she did indeed enjoy her life.

By her request she will be cremated and will have no formal funeral service.

Should you wish to make a donation in memory of Violet, and in honor of her faithful care providers Claire and Julie, it can be directed to Amedisys Home Health, 450 Racetrack Rd., Suite 103, Washington, PA 15301, or in honor of her many caregivers at Concordia Donnell House, 10 Leet St., Washington, PA 15301.