YORK Elma Grace Strickland Byrnes passed away on September 19, 2014. She was born on March 4, 1929, in Many, La., to William Everett Strickland and Eula Grace Muse. She was married to Thomas Edgar Byrnes who passed away in 1976; son, Robert Howard Byrnes passed away in 1986. She is survived by five children, Patricia (John) Allen of Rocky Mount, N.C., Colleen (Dave) Bott of Ogden, Utah, Carol (Tony) Bowes of Roxboro, N.C., Jenny (Byron) Wilson of York, and Mark (Tamra) Byrnes of Craig, Colo. She is also survived by 30 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren. Elma was predeceased by Strickland siblings, Tommy Jo, William, Jr., Aubrey, Jackie (Carmen), Betty Jean, and Catherine Dale Strickland. She is survived by brothers, Doug Strickland of Houston, Texas, and Dave Strickland of Shreveport, La.; and sisters, Ada Ann Nelson (Jack) of Boise, Idaho ,and Gladys Baker of Augusta, Ga. Elma was a fine southern cook with a lovely southern accent. After her husband's death, Elma attended BYU in library science. Elma was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many capacities in the church and spent her life in service to the Lord and to others. She was a devoted mother and grandmother with a fine sense of humor that she kept until the day she died. She had a magnificent capacity to laugh and enjoy life. Even during the hardest times, such as when she lost her husband and son after long illnesses, she had an unwavering faith that sustained her and those around her. She was a remarkable woman. We were greatly blessed to have been born into her home. We are proud to say she was our mother and she will be sorely missed. Her wishes were to be laid to rest next to her husband, Tom, at family graveside services in the Pleasant Grove, Utah Cemetery. The services will take place Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 12 Noon under the direction of Myers Mortuary of Ogden. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com