Minnie Lou Byrd Langston was born on July 5, 1943 in New Hebron, Mississippi. She was the oldest of 11 children reared by Charlie Byrd and Viola Davis Byrd. On Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at Canon Hospice in Gulfport, Mississippi, Minnie was called to join the Saviour in that home not built with human hands, but whose maker and builder is God.

Minnie accepted Christ as her personal Saviour as a child and worshipped with the Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in D'Lo, Mississippi. After the Byrd family relocated to the Broomfield Community, she united with the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. She was a proud 1961 graduate of Harper Vocational High School in Mendenhall, Mississippi. As a young adult, she relocated to New York, New York where she attended The City College of New York and cosmetology school.

Minnie, who was a natural leader with a bold, no nonsense, authoritative demeanor, was no stranger to hard work. Throughout the years, she worked and served in several industries. She has served as a beautician, bus driver (Greyhound), truck driver (JB Hunt), dive/swim instructor, adoptive parent, photographer/videographer, and travel agent. Following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she worked with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) as a site inspector. While she was an industrious person in the workforce, her Christian duty was not neglected. As a resident of Alaska, she faithfully served the Greater Friendship Baptist Church as Sunday School Superintendent. Upon returning to Mississippi, she reunited with Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church and served as treasurer for many years.

Minnie was a staunch supporter of the Harper High School Reunion and was dedicated to her duties as reunion organizer, treasurer and volunteer. In addition to assisting with the school reunion, one of her favorite things to do, was to provide delicious, homemade baked goods to family and friends.

Minnie was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Florine Lawson and Willie Earl Young.

Minnie's spirit and legacy will be remembered by her son, Darren Newborn; her grandchildren, Darren, Jr., Jamaal, Avery, and twins, DeOnta and DeNa; her siblings, Lena Williams, Leola Buckley, Eliza Barber, Rosetta McGee, Charlie Ray Byrd, Ernest Byrd, Robert Byrd, Joe T. Byrd, Eddie Byrd and Noble Young; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.