Kentra Toquia Byrd peacefully gained her heavenly wings on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Atrium Health Pineville, Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was surrounded by devoted family and friends.
Kentra was born on March 18, 1979, in Rockingham, North Carolina to loving parents, Clarence and Betty Byrd. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Nelson and Mary Frances Bennett and James and Juretha Sinclair Byrd, as well as four aunts and four uncles.
Kentra graduated from West Mecklenburg High School in 1997 with honors. In 2002, she graduated from the distinguished North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University with a bachelorโs degree in communication.
After graduating, Kentra began her career in journalism in New York City. She soon returned to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she pursued her passion for real estate and entrepreneurship. From 2005 to 2024, Kentra was the owner of Byrdhouse Services, LLC, a title insurance company, and Paisley Blaise Staging & Design, LLC, a real estate staging company. In 2014, she was named president of the Charlotte International Association of Home Staging Professionals Regional Chapter. In 2017, Kentra became a real estate broker at Berkshire Hathaway. From 2020 to 2023, she was the Director of Customer Success and Transaction Management at EasyKnock, Inc. In December 2023, she became Director of Operations and Underwriting at Re/Max Executive Team of Charlotte SouthPark.
With an illustrious career marked by unparalleled success, Kentra shone brightly in every endeavor she pursued. Yet, her greatest legacy, her most cherished achievement, was her beloved son, Kayden. A dedicated mother above all else, with unwavering love and devotion, she poured her heart and soul into nurturing and guiding him with wisdom and tenderness. Though she may have left this world too soon, her legacy of love and strength will forever live on through her son and in the cherished memories of those she held dear.
For those who knew Kentra, she was a very loving, caring, humble, knowledgeable, and talented young woman who touched many hearts. At her core, Kentra was a designer, creator, and artistic visionary. This was evident through her hobbies, which included making luxury candles under the brand name Oberwood, organic skin care products, paintings on canvas, and jewelry.
Her family surviving to cherish her memories and honor her legacy are her son, Kayden Blaise Byrd-Davis; her parents, Clarence and Betty Byrd of Charlotte, NC; her sister, Carmen Byrd, Esq. of Washington, DC; her godparents, Earl and Donna Palmer of Greensboro, NC; her life-long friend, Lonnie Davis of Charlotte, NC; her very special friend, Demetri Bantounas of Charlotte, NC; thirteen aunts: Clara Burch of Charlotte, NC; Joyce Byrd-Jackson (David) of McLeansville, NC; Cornelia Green of Charlotte, NC; Vivian Hailey (Chris) of Charlotte, NC; Carolyn Byrd of Charlotte, NC; Annie Taylor Byrd of Wadesboro, NC; Carmelita H. Byrd of Murfreesboro, NC; Helen Daniels Stevenson Byrd of Greensboro, NC; Dorothy Cash of High Point, NC; Marlene Merriman (Leon) of Morven, NC; Delores Walton (Larry) of Charlotte, NC; Marie Pratt of Morven, NC; Veronica G. Bennett of Greensboro, NC; seven uncles: Wayne Bennett of Morven, NC; Donnell Byrd of Wadesboro NC; Alvin Byrd (Helena) of Durham, NC; Steve Byrd of Charlotte, NC; Reverend Marvin Harper of Winston-Salem, NC; Johnny Pratt (Garletha) of Lilesville, NC; Cleo Graham of Laurel Hill, NC; her favorite cousin, Jennifer Gainey Raynor of Hope Mills, NC; and a host of additional cousins and friends.
The Services to Celebrate Ms. Byrd's life will be on Saturday, April 20, 2024, 1:00pm, Smith's Memorial Chapel, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina.
The Byrd Family will greet family and friends on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 12:30-1:00pm at Smith's Memorial Chapel and at all other times at the family residence.
Katusia lundi sent Sacred Garden Spray for Ms. Kentra T. Byrd - April 18, 2024
Sending our love, thoughts, and prayers. From Paige Brinkley, Laura Pho, Katusia Lundi, and Katie Chipungu.
Joyful Memory was sent for Ms. Kentra T. Byrd - April 18, 2024
Phyllis Marie Caple sent Red and White Handled Basket for Ms. Kentra T. Byrd - April 18, 2024
Our condolences from my family to yours may GOD comfort you in time of grief and sorrow our prayers out to you and your family
LESTER MILLSAPS sent The Peace Lily for Ms. Kentra T. Byrd - April 18, 2024
To: Clarence, Betty, Carmen and Kayden, our hearts and prayers are with you at this time as we celebrate the life of our beautiful Kentra. Love, Les and Edith Millsaps and Crystal Millsaps White
Builders Mutual Insurance sent Pink Tribute Spray for Ms. Kentra T. Byrd - April 18, 2024
We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Your Builders Mutual Family
Your Light Shines was sent for Ms. Kentra T. Byrd - April 18, 2024
Beautiful Dreams was sent for Ms. Kentra T. Byrd - April 17, 2024
The Peace Lily was sent for Ms. Kentra T. Byrd - April 16, 2024
Nicole Cuellar-Lopez planted 5 trees in memory of Ms. Kentra T. Byrd . - April 19, 2024
Kentra, you were a special soul on this earth and it breaks my heart to hear you are not here anymore. During our time working together, you always made me (and everyone) feel like a friend-- you walked me through NYC at night when I was nervous to be alone, and always took a moment to really talk to people. Heaven is the lucky group to get you back. Sending my love to your family here-- please know Kentra was loved by everyone she met and will certainly be in our hearts and memories.
Please accept my sincere condolences to the Byrd Family. Memories of our time at Curtis Hall during our days at NC A&T will always hold a special place in my heart. May God continue to give you strength.
Dearest Kentra, Thank you for blessing our lives with your presence! Positive, funny, approachable, helpful, honest, emotionally intelligent, warm, kind, giving - That's you!. You are a real one! A woman of substance. A confidante. A woman of her word. A cheerleader. Constantly advocating for women and people of color. I hope Whitney Houston and Freddie Mercury serenade you everyday. I hope you get ample rest and afternoon naps in heaven. Thank you for gracing us with your presence! I have no doubt that you will protect and love your family from heaven. My condolences to your son, sister and parents. Kendra always said such wonderful things about you'll. My deepest condolences. I am going through all my messages Kentra, and they bring a smile to my face. From our conversations about how adulthood is a scam, to how bathroom singing should be celebrated. Kentra, you always made time for everyone during your busy day. No matter how small a role the world said they played. Thank you for being my work aunty! Thank you for seeing people for who they are. Until we meet again friend!
Kentra, I will never forget you. I always felt compelled to seek you out in the room because of your warmth and kindness. I am so glad I got to know you in your life, as you truly touched my own. I am sorry we will never get the chance to work or spend time together in the future. All the love to you and your family. May your memory be a blessing. Love, Keiran
This has been hard to process over the last 24 hours. Kentra will be truly missed and forever remembered. During the time I worked with her at EasyKnock, she made such an amazing impact on my life that I will carry with me forever. Such a beautiful soul and not to mention she always fought and advocated so much for me and I'm sure she's done the same for everyone in her life. I'll miss our shared enjoyment of crime podcasts and our many conversations about literally anything, she was definitely a safe space for me. Sending my deepest condolences to her mom, dad, sister and son whom she always spoke so much about and to her entire family. Praying for their strength and healing. ๐๐ผ -Shynette
Condolences and prayers to the Byrd &Bennett family. May God give you strength and guidance for the loss of your loved one Herbert and Reatha Pratt Winchester.
So sorry for your loss,we will lift up prayers during this moment in time hopefully one day soon all of us will understand it better by and by. Henry and Joyce Bittle
Betty and Clarence, my heart is completely broken for you both. I'm praying that God surrounds you with his love and light while you try to get through all of this. I am so sorry for such a terrible loss to you to Kayden, and to all the people she touched.
Condolences to the Byrd family. Sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. May God strength each of you during this difficult time. ๐
James Tanner
Kentra, I am at a loss for the right words. Thank you for always loving my family. It is so unfair that this has happened. I pray for strength and healing for your family. My your memory be eternal.
Beba & Lia Bantounas
Kentra, it is so hard to process you leaving, too soon too young my friend. I was missing you at work already. I will always cherish our morning quotes for the best ahead, and knowing you is a blessing, you are forever Wonderful and powerful; your professionalism and knowledge; just reading your Obituary reinforced my understanding of your multiple skills and the great woman, role model you were. Thank you for sharing time to chat about being a Mom; I know how important was your Son to you, always your everything. You raised a wonderful young man; May the Lord bless him and the Family. Kayren, your Mom was an incredible woman and inspiration for everyone that was lucky enough to work with her, be around her, and be a friend. Faith on this difficult times. My dear Kentra, โ๏ธ see you Later my friend!
Sending prayers ๐ and love to your son and family during this difficult time.
I feel so fortunate to have worked with Kentra at EasyKnock. Her kindness left a lasting impression on everyone she met, and her dedication to her work inspired us all. Her legacy of compassion will surely continue on.... My thoughts and prayers go out to her son, who she loved so deeply, and her entire family during this difficult time. โค๏ธ Ashley Sassone
Kentra, When I heard the news today, my heart literally broke. I told Stacey and I broke down. I will always cherish our conversations talking about Hunter and Kayden, showing pictures of them to one another and just laughing! You were truly the best! I was so lucky to know you and have you be a part of my life. Your kind, caring compassionate smile and laugh were infectious and will never be forgotten. I am sick you were called home so soon, but know you are loved by so many and will never be forgotten. Kenney Hentschke The Hentschke Family Hunter + Stacey
Kentra, You made such a huge impact on me during the time we worked together. I still find myself asking "What would Kentra do?" when trying to figure out what to do next during a tough issue. I will continue to think of you often and am sending prayers to the family, especially your son, who you loved so fiercely and bragged about whenever you got the chance - and rightfully so. Thank you for everything. Jamie Pedersen
Dearest Kentra,
I have so many fond memories of you; from your infectious laugh, to your smart ideas at work, to your sweet smile. We're going to miss your presence amongst us. I'm praying for comfort to your family as they go through this tough transition. Thank you for all the laughs you've shared with me and for being a wonderful person to all around you.
Prayers to all,
Lexy Schiess
My dear friend. I can not believe you are gone from this world. I will always cherish our conversations at work and outside of work. I want to thank you from the deepest of my heart for your friendship and professional guidance. No words can describe how I am feeling at this moment. My deepest condolences to your family and your loved ones. I am sure we will all see each other again. This is not a goodbye but a see you later. -Chun Kai Chang (CK) and The Chang family.
Matthew 5:4: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
I am so sorry for you loss. Betty and Clarence, no words could ever hope to ease your pain but please know that your daughter will never be forgotten and always be loved. You and your family are in my prayers. Patricia Caple
In deepest sympathy, I am wishing your family peace to bring you comfort, courage to help you face the days ahead, and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.
Theresa Wilkes- Builders Mutual Insurance
Dear Betty: I am so sorry for your loss. Keeping you and your family in my prayers. Patti Baker
Sending my sincere condolences and prayers to the family! So sorry for your loss . Brenda Merriman
My prayers are being lifted up for the Byrd family, praying for peace and comfort. In Christ Love, Eric Withers
Sending my condolences, thoughts and prayers during this to the Byrd family during this time. ๐๐พ Tanisha Jenkins
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corn. 12:9. Elaine Parsons
I would like to send my deepest condolences during this time. My family and I are praying for Clarence, Betty and Carmen's peace and comfort. Love you all! -Jessica Garris-Wilson and Elijah Wilson and Family
Kentra, I cannot believe you are gone. I am frozen just at the thought. Time and life got between us as life sometimes does but I'm so glad we got to catch up recently. We had so many good times and I truly did love you like a sister. My deepest prayers go out to your parents and Carmen and especially Kayden. I know you wouldn't leave them unless God needed you more. You will never be forgotten. โค๏ธ๐๐ฝ ๐๏ธ -Crystal (Graves) Nelson
Sheriff Howell and Anson County Sheriff's office share in your sorrow and send you heartfelt condolences for the loss of your loved one. We wish you peace to bring you comfort, courage to help you face the days ahead, and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.
Sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers. Linda Waring and Family
Sending my condolences to the family! So sorry for your loss๐๐พโค๏ธ Brenda Merriman
I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending condolences to you and your family. May God put his loving arms around each and every one of you during this time of bereavement. Patricia Owens Bennett & Family.
My Deepest Condolences to the Byrd Family. Praying for each of you during this difficult time and my prayers will continue for God's strength
My Deepest Condolences to the Byrd Family. Praying for each of you during this difficult time and my prayers will continue for God's strength
May His Peace be yours on the tragic loss of Kentra. We are praying for Clarence. Betty and Carmen and the extended family. James and Ruby Cash
We are praying God's presence and Peace for Clarence, Betty and Carmen and the affiliated family members at the tragic loss of Kentra. May our God hold you up as you look to Him.
Condolences and Prayers to The Bennett & Byrd Family. May God continue to give each of you strength and guidance for the loss of your loved one. Edward & JoLetha Gordon-Little โค๏ธ๐โค๏ธ
So Sorry For Your Loss. Sending My Deepest Condolences and Prayers To Your Family. Leslie Streater McNeil
We are praying much for your family our family our deepest condolences to you may God bless and keep you
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.