Covie Nanney Byars

Covie Nanney Byars, age 93 of Paris, passed away Friday, July 25, 2025, at Patriot Health and Rehab Center. Her funeral service will be at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Long Rock United Methodist Church, 340 Long Rock Church Road, Huntingdon, TN 38344, with Shane Moore and Mark Carrigan officiating. Burial will follow in the Long Rock Church Cemetery. Visitation will be after 10:00 AM on Wednesday at the church, before the service.

Covie Nanney Byars was born May 30, 1932, in Carroll Co., TN, to the late William Tellie and Mary Lucille Pinson Nanney. On November 20, 1948, she married Rev. Glynn D. Byars, and he preceded her in death on January 19, 1996.

Mrs. Byars served, along with her husband, many United Methodist churches during his ministry in Western Kentucky and Tennessee.

Mrs. Byars is survived by her daughters: Mary Ann Rumley of McMinnvile, TN and Deborah Keith of Nashville; her sons: Jimmy (Janice) Byars of Tennessee Ridge, TN and Randy (Patricia) Byars of Paris, TN; her grandchildren: John (Ashton) Byars, Elizabeth Hoffman, Mitzi Hutter, Matt Byars,  James Robert (Trina) Byars, Julie (Shane) Moore, Lisa (Derek) Coats, Shane (Emily) Rumley, Sharon (Doug) Allen, David Tate, David (Michelle) Keith, Jr., and Susan (Randy) Jackson; daughter-in-law, Cindy Byars of Henry, TN; 28 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Besides her parents and husband, Mrs. Byars was also preceded in death by son, James Edward Byars; sons-in-law: Ira Rumley and David Keith, Sr.; and great-grandchild, Samuel Crockett Byars.

Pallbearers for Mrs. Byars will be David Tate, Shane Rumley, John Byars, Matt Byars, Doug Allen, and Adam Prater.