Cheerful May Mercer Byrum, 89, died peacefully with her family at her side, June 14, 2004, in Georgetown Texas.

She was born May 19, 1915 in Agra to Ambrose Dee and Susan Addieville Mercer.

She married Herbert Henry Byrum, June 14, 1935 in Stillwater. She and Herbert lived in Perkins from 1985 until 1999, and resided at West Haven Nursing Home until his death, September 10, 2001.

Cheerful attended Tryon High School and Oklahoma State University.

She moved with her husband to El Paso, Texas in 1941 where they raised their four children and ran a successful business. They also helped to build four churches throughout their Christian lives. She was a good and faithful servant.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Byrum; six brothers and six sisters, one son, Jay Dean Byrum and two grandsons, Dale Lee Byrum and Lyle Dean Byrum.

She is survived by her two sons, Henry Dale Byrum of Queen Valley, Arizona and Lyle Mercer Byrum of El Paso, Texas; daughter, Ruth Lynne Dison of Georgetown, Texas; eight grandchildren, Gregory Dale Byrum, Pamela Lee Payne, Sam Dean Byrum, Kay Lynne Cox, Karen Leanne Cox, Clay Dean Byrum, Jay Dale Byrum and Clint Gregory Byrum; four great grandchildren, Dale Joseph Payne, Ashley Shannon Payne, Cody Dean Byrum and Jackson James Byrum; as well as other relatives and numerous friends.

A graveside service was held at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, south of Carney, June 16, 2004 at 2:00 p.m.

Pastor Stanley Buckmaster officiated the service, under the direction of Strode Funeral Home.