Mary Katherine Padgett “Kay” Byrd, a beloved educator and devoted matriarch, passed away on November 15, 2025, at the age of 76.

Kay was a school teacher in Louisiana, Texas and Arizona for 29 years. In Texas, Kay studied at the Scottish Rite Hospital to become a Certified Academic Language Therapist. Her training included direct instruction from Aylett Cox, the renowned dyslexia pioneer.

In Arizona, she created a business called the Arizona Multisensory Training Institute. Through that business, and with the help of her sister, Becca Barker, she was able to teach Arizona school teachers from many different school districts a common methodology for teaching dyslexic school children how to read.

When Kay returned home to Louisiana later in life, Kay became a successful real estate agent and also was elected to the Bossier Parish School Board, representing South Bossier.

Kay’s career life was very full and she helped and touched the lives of so many people along that journey.

Though accomplished professionally, her greatest legacy was her family. She was born to Judge Louis Harvey Padgett, Jr, and Mary Frances Calhoun Padgett “Hootie”, both now deceased.

She was the heart of her husband of 56 years, Thomas Everett Byrd.

She was always close to her 5 siblings: Gehlen Padgett, Becca Padgett Barker, Buddy Padgett, Francee Padgett Woods, and AmyNell Padgett Ferrar. She had a very special relationship with her sisters, celebrating many wonderful “Sister Weekends” throughout her life.

She was a guiding light to her three children: daughters, Dr. Kallie Byrd Guimond, Annie Byrd Hartman, and her son John Byrd. She was loved dearly by her seven grandchildren.

Kay was often seen as a woman with a vibrant spirit, fierce intelligence, and unwavering dedication. She was known for her kindness, generosity, feistiness, and compassion. Her spirit, now free, will be forever loved and profoundly missed by all whose lives she made a difference in.