Genovia Byrd, a devoted mother and loving sister, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, to Coline Woods, she was lovingly raised by her mother and stepfather Crawford Woods. She was the youngest of five children.

Genovia was educated in New Haven and graduated from James Hillhouse High School. She later earned her associate degree in psychology from Gateway Community College. In 1998, Genovia moved to Dallas, where she worked as a teacher in the Dallas Independent School District and later with the Texas Workforce Commission, where she helped individuals build better futures.

She returned home to Connecticut in 2008. For the past 15 years, she served as a Direct Care Specialist with Continuum of Care—a milestone she had just recently celebrated. Her dedication, compassion, and ability to bond with everyone she met made her exceptional in her field and beloved by colleagues and clients alike.

Above all else, Genovia was the proud mother of her daughter, Karissa, who was the joy and center of her world. Family meant everything to her. She was feisty, fun-loving, and full of life—always ready to sing, dance, and bring laughter into any room. She loved to cook and was known her chicken and dumplings. Her hobbies included crocheting, word puzzles, and traveling, especially her trips to Las Vegas.

Genovia never met a stranger. She loved helping people without hesitation. Even as she bravely battled lupus, she continued to care for everyone around her. She lived by the belief: “If you don’t know your history, how do you know your present?”

She is preceded in death by her parents Coline and Crawford Woods, her sibling Rozell Spates, and her grand pup, Harpo Cooper. She leaves to forever cherish her memory: her daughter Karissa; her siblings Katherine Byrd (David), Clifford Byrd, and Christine Bourdeaux; her nieces and nephews; and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews.

Genovia’s legacy of compassion, resilience, and unwavering devotion will continue to live on in the countless lives she touched.