Barbara Byers Obituary

Barbara Lavern Byers, 78, passed away peacefully at home in Durango, CO, surrounded by family, on May 6, 2016. She was born July 10, 1937 in Cortez, CO to Vernon and Louise Fuller. The family moved to Durango when she was two weeks old. Barbara graduated from Durango High School in 1955, and afterward earned her nursing degree in Denver. She returned to Durango where she was employed at Mercy Medical Center, Four Corners Healthcare and later for a local physician, Dr. Sam Calloway. She later owned United Campground, along with her husband, for 17 years until they sold it in 1994. She was a very caring nurse, wife, mother and grandmother.

Barbara married Lindy H. Peterson on November 10, 1957. They lived in Durango, and had three children. Lindy preceded her in death in 1974. She later married Donald R. Byers in 1977, who preceded her in death in 2007. Barbara remained in Durango, where she lived near her daughters in her own home until she passed.

Barbara, along with Donald, was on the board of directors for the Colorado Campground Association, and they served as officers in different positions for 17 years. She was also an active member of her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, from 1959 to 2015, holding several offices and positions during that time. Her love and respect for her sorority sisters and commitment to support local community projects was strong and filled her with satisfaction and comfort throughout her life. She was an active member of the Class of 1955 Reunion Committee up to 2011, and continued to attend reunions all the way to her 60th Class Reunion which occurred last year, in 2015. Her lifelong school friendships were precious to her and brought her so many happy memories through her life.

She is survived by her brother, Thomas Fuller of Rock Hill, South Carolina; her three children, son, Gary Peterson of Ignacio, CO, daughter, Sherry Holt and husband Tim of Durango, daughter, Terry Jacobsen of Durango, step-daughter, Donna Jones of Durango and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of life will be announced and held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to one of the following organizations: Hospice of Mercy Durango, 175 Mercado St. Suite 131, Durango, CO 81301, La Plata County Search and Rescue, P.O. Box 1885, Durango, CO 81302, or La Plata County Historical Society, P.O. Box 3384, Durango, CO 81302.