Kathryn Louise Gallagher Byars, 71, passed away October 4, 2020 at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, AL. There will be a private service at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6. 2020 at Dowdle Funeral Home in Millport, AL. for family and Millport Baptist Church family only with Bro. David Hunnicutt and Bro. Mike Trull officiating. The family has requested that masks be worn and social distancing observed. Burial will be at Ebenezer Cemetery in Millport, AL. with Dowdle Funeral Home directing.

She was born in August 1949 in Huntington, WV to Bob and Mary Gallagher.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents.  Kathy is survived by her husband Coach Howard Byars of Millport, AL who is a retired coach and administrator from South Lamar High School in Millport.  Her brother Rev. John Gallagher who lives in Vienna, WV and is pastor at St. Michael Parish.  Her daughter Mary Kathryn Bozeman (Luke) from Millport, AL where she is the guidance counselor for South Lamar High School in Millport.  Her Son Matthew Byars (Adriannna) from Millport, AL, is principal of Lamar County School of Technology in Vernon, AL. Her grandchildren Ben and Beth Bozeman of Millport, AL.

Kathy graduated from Charleston High School in Charleston, WV.  She went on to attain her Bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of North Alabama where she met her husband of 49 years, Coach Howard Byars of Fayette, AL.  Kathy was a teacher for 27 years at Guntersville, AL, Russellville, AL, Sulligent, AL Millport, AL, Gordo, AL, and retired from South Lamar High School in 2004.  Kathy was an outstanding teacher who cared for all her students and co-workers.  Kathy was also a cheerleader for her husband's and son's team wherever they coached and was definitely the loudest person in the stadium on Friday nights!  Kathy was a Christian and a member of Millport Baptist Church in Millport, AL where she was a Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, VBS director, choir member, and fill in music director.  Kathy loved the Lord and made it a mission in life to spread that love to as many people as she could wherever she went. Kathy will be dearly missed by her family and friends.