Submitted by Rev. Dr. George A. Bates, JD
On July 3, 2026, the Byrd and Carr families of Cobham and Cismont honored Gloria Carr Byrd (widow of Harry F. Byrd) on the occasion of her 90th Birthday Celebration. It was the most wonderful affair that I have ever attended with hors d’oeuvres, full course meal, dancing and a brief program! Several people had Reflections and they all agreed that Gloria’s demeanor was a “mothers’ mother”—she looked after, nurtured, protected and fed all the children not only in food but in spirit, divineness and wisdom! I am certain there were many mothers in Cobham like Mrs. Byrd. (I can count my grandmother, Mildred Carr Holland who married my grandfather (my namesake, George Howard Holland, Sr.), Mrs. Carey (Kaye) Byrd, Mrs. Annie Payne, Mrs. Elsie Byrd (Big Elsie) Johnson, Mrs. Berta Gardener and last but not least, the two great Bible teachers extraordinaires, Mrs. Sarah Thomas and Rev. Phrendessa Chew (wife of Rev. Walter Chew).
The Mothers of Cismont, Virginia…