She’s Extraordinary in every issue
Story by Ferebe Gasque Pearce • Laura McBryde Photography
In 2009, it was my privilege to write an article for She Magazine’s Annual Survivors’
Issue about Betsy and two other women who work with Just for Women Ministries, Carol
Matthews and Bonnie Ferguson. All three of these ladies are breast cancer survivors.
Betsy, to me, exemplifies an Extraordinary Woman of Faith. Though she would never
describe herself in that way, many others would. It would take more than just one
article to tell you the many ways she has influenced just my life and my own personal
faith. She has helped me walk through many journeys in these intervening thirteen
years since that summer afternoon at Eloise’s home.
Today, she finally looks like “the old Betsy” again. But, she shares, “Life as I knew it
ended May 15, 2015.” She used to spend hours each day in God’s Word. While she still
treasures it and, thankfully, has memory of the past, “being out of the Word constantly
leaves a huge void.” Her journey back from near-death has been a long, hard process.
She had to re-learn how to walk. And, it was months before she could read. She still has
difficulty comprehending what she reads. However, “God is sufficient. Would I like to
move to the other side of this? Yes! But, it is not in my hands but in God’s.”
Five weeks before her aneurysm, Betsy had approached Kathy Griffin. Knowing
The statistics were not in her favor. She remained unresponsive. Three days later,
that one day she might not be able to continue teaching, Betsy wanted to know the
the elders from Darlington Presbyterian Church went to the hospital, anointed Betsy
ministry would go on. A few weeks after the aneurysm-event, the JFW Board met and
with oil, and prayed for her. Several hours passed, and she opened her eyes. Though
approached Kathy, not knowing of her previous conversation with Betsy. It was just
she doesn’t remember any of this, Betsy knows that God was in each moment. It was
one more confirmation that God was preparing the way all along.
a miracle.
Last summer, Betsy was nominated by several women for She Magazine’s Annual
With this positive change, plans were made to transport her to the Medical University
Extraordinary Women Awards. This event honors local women of extraordinary accom-
of South Carolina in Charleston for additional surgery. She remained there for three
plishment from within the Pee Dee via a careful and extensive selection process. Melia
weeks before being transferred back to a hospital in Florence to wean her off of the
Flowers, the event’s founder, had this to say about Betsy’s nomination: “Each year,
ventilator and then to Carolinas Rehabilitation. Three months after the aneurysm
we are overwhelmed by the sheer number of women nominated. The bar is set high
burst, she was finally able to go home.
from the beginning of the process, as we are blessed with so many extraordinary and
I first met Betsy Bird during the summer of 2003. Eloise Hart had invited a group
deserving women in our area. Betsy was a favorite among the selection committee
of ladies to her home to learn more about a Bible Study that was being held locally.
from our first meeting, however, the magnitude of her service to God and His people
When I arrived, I noticed this petite lady who seemed to be at the center of everyone’s
inspired me to add a new category. Beginning with the 2015 event, the She Magazine
attention. She talked about her desire to share God’s Word, verse-by-verse, with the
Extraordinary Woman Of Faith Award was established with Betsy Byrd being its first
women of this area. When the fall session started, I went… mostly out of curiosity.
recipient.” Betsy says she doesn’t understand why she should receive an award for
Though I had graduated from a Christian college with a degree in Religious Educa-
being a woman of faith… much less an extraordinary one. But, that’s one thing that
tion and from a Southern Baptist Seminary, I was hearing facts and perspectives and
makes her so extraordinary. Melia adds, “When I called Betsy to inform her that she
teachings I’d never before gleaned from scripture. I was hooked.
had been nominated, she was obviously overwhelmed and with true humility shared
I soon learned that Betsy and I shared a birthday, though she’d been able to claim
that ‘there were certainly others more deserving.’ That is indeed true. Many were
it a few years longer. Before too long, we became good friends. I have also h BF