Erma Faye Collums Byars

Mrs. Erma Faye Collums Byars, 83, died Monday, December 1, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi, Oxford, MS. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel at Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Williams officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M. Burial will follow in North Oxford Cemetery.

Mrs. Byars was born on February 15, 1942, in Paris, MS to the late Doyle Elzie and Jimmie Lambert Collums. She and her husband, Paul McKibben Byars, were high school sweethearts and were married for 62 years prior to her death. They were both long time and faithful members of North Oxford Baptist Church.

Erma dedicated her life to taking care of others. She was a clinical nurse specialist in the department of surgery for many years at the University Medical Center in Jackson, MS. After retirement she continued her calling by volunteering at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi, Oxford, MS. Erma took care of her garden just as she took care of her family, friends, and patients, with love and patience. In addition to her parents, Erma was also preceded in death by her son, Kelly Byars.

Survivors include her husband, Paul McKibben Byars; daughter, Sherry Byars Steen (Scott) of Water Valley, MS; sons, Paul Anthony “Andy” Byars (Shawn) of Madison, MS, and Brad Collums Byars of Oxford, MS; grandchildren, Hannah, Hunter, Kaitlin, and Shiloh; great grandchildren, Charles, Ryker, and Julian; and her faithful companion, Prissy

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mrs. Byars’ memory made to Alzheimer’s Association, Mississippi Chapter, Post Office Box 456, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39158, or online at https://www.alz.org/ms.