A day meant for joy and celebration ended in tragedy for one Winston-Salem family.
Jean Byrd was walking through the parking lot at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem to see her daughter Meilean's high school graduation. She collapsed before she could make it to the door.
Byrd's sister called her nephew, Marquan Matthews, who was already inside. A security guard drove him in a golf cart out to the scene. Matthews performed CPR on his mother until paramedics arrived.
Meilean walked across the stage and received her diploma from Parkland High School. She says a guidance counselor was waiting for her when she sat down, escorted her out and took her to the hospital.
Matthews remembers his mom as filled with joy and compassion and as a saint. He said, “My mom was probably, I say, one of the loudest, you know, most energetic, loving, you know, most caring person you will ever, you know, come across or interact with, you know, she was always a safe haven for any kid.”
Byrd was originally from Philadelphia, and the family wants to bury her there. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost.
