ROCKINGHAM — Cameron “Punkin” Nicole Byrd, 30, of Rockingham, passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, April 28, 2022.
She was born June 10, 1991, in Chapel Hill, daughter of Toni Alicia Byrd and the late Anthony Eugene Bullard.
Cameron’s most prized possessions, and loves of her life, were her daughters. She loved them and they loved their Mama. She enjoyed making hair bows and getting tattoos. Her personality was outgoing — her friends would seek advice because she was quick to offer it “up and out.” She was the life of the party and loved her friends and family. Music and dancing were her enjoyments.
She was preceded in death by her father, Anthony Eugene Bullard; grandparents, Tony Byrd, Priscilla Brigman Byrd, and Butch Shepard.
She is survived by her longtime companion and father of her children, Matthew G. Russell, of the home; daughters, Caliayna Raine Russell and Kymani Reece Russell, both of the home; mother, Toni Byrd, of Rockingham; “Deddy,” Ezzell Shepard of Ellerbe; bonus mom, Sherry Jacobs of Mount Gilead; grandmothers, Sarah Benton of Cordova and Fay Byrd of Louisiana; brothers, Dakota “Bubba” Shepard of Ellerbe and Anthony Leviner of Mount Gilead; sisters, Taylor Shepard and Kelsey Lee, both of Rockingham, Madelyn Shepard and Carly Shepard, both of Ellerbe, and Payton Bullard of Rockingham; special cousin and godmother to her girls, Miranda Paxton of Hamlet; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A private service to honor the life of Cameron will be held at a later date.
The family would like to share a special prayer, framed from her Nanny Priscilla, “The Carousel Prayer”:
“Lord, each day of my life, like a carousel turns, there are chances to take, and lessons to learn.
Caught up in problems, that each day would bring. Chances slip by, to catch the brass ring.
Whenever I felt my ride slowing down, Your gentle hand would push me around.
Picking me up, each time that I fell, You rode beside me, on my Carousel.”
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Byrd family.
Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
