Francis Clarene Byard, age 71 of Brooks, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2020 at Bradford Square Nursing Home in Frankfort. She was born April 18, 1949 in Louisville. She was a homemaker, a full Cherokee Indian and a Baptist by faith.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Nathaniel Byard; her fiancé Jim Bob Downing; one son, William Thomas Byard; two infant great grandchildren, Alex Losey and Isaac Lewis; her parents, Jack and Beulah Huddleston Baxter; one sister, Shirley Cape; three brothers, Jessie, Marvin and David Baxter.

Survivors include two daughters, Charlene Sims of Lexington and Frances Ann Nelson of New Haven; three sons, Clifford Jewel Pervis and Gary Wayne Baxter both of Louisville and Sam Lee Byard (Melissa) of Franklin County, Tennessee; 11 grandchildren, Meagan Losey, Maverick Losey, Cody Losey, Wade Byard, William Byard, Julie O'Bryan, Jeffrey Cecil, William Byard, Thomas William Ray Manz, Salena Lynn Nelson and Gavin Byard; four great grandchildren, Jaeden Losey, Stella Manz, Mason Lewis and Nevaeh Byard.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Mattingly Funeral Home, 195 Holy Cross Road, Loretto. Rev. Deacon Joseph R. Dant will officiate. Burial will follow in Saint Catherine Cemetery in New Haven.

Visitation is 3-8 PM Friday at Mattingly Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7 PM.

Memorials may go toward funeral expenses.

Pallbearers are Thomas William Ray Manz, Cody Losey, Jody O'Bryan, Jeffrey Cecil, Sam Byard, Shane St. Clair and Wade Byard.

Due to covid-19 restrictions, face coverings are required, and social distancing and hand washing are encouraged. Funeral home occupancy is limited to 50%. No food or drink may be sent or shared at this time. Services will be livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page for those who cannot attend.