Dr. Inez Vera Lord Byer

Dr. Inez Vera Lord Byer, 81, of Nevada, Missouri passed on Oct. 13, 2008, at home. She was born March 22, 1927, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of George Eliot and Olive (Reeder) Lord. Inez graduated from East High School, in Kansas City, Mo., and from the University of Missouri, Columbia with a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D in Philosophy. She was a philosophy, ethics and religion professor for many years at Cottey College, Nevada, beginning her career with Cottey in 1961, until her retirement in 2001. She also taught literature and philosophy with Dr. Michael Emery, associate professor of English at Cottey. In 1982, the board of trustees of Cottey College appointed her to the Stockard Chair of Religion and Ethics. Inez called herself a humanist and encouraged tolerance, love and respect in all. Inez was a dedicated member of the Christian Science Society in Nevada. Inez loved to read, work in the garden, and travel. She was a past board chair of the Nevada Housing Authority and Moss House.

Survivors include her two daughters, Darya Hermine and husband Robert Kenneth Mouser, of Lake St. Louis, Mo., and Heather Anne Brown and husband John Eckardt, of Kansas City, Mo.; four grandchildren, Matthew David and wife Rebecca Ann Mouser and Michael Christian Mouser, of Lake St. Louis, Mo., and Dylan Andrew and Kelsey Jane Brown, of Kansas City, Mo.; and two great-grandchildren Brayden Drew and Isabella Ann Mouser, of Lake St. Louis; one sister Wanda Elizabeth Lord, of Kansas City, and one brother Coyne George Lord and wife Clara of Lee's Summit, Mo.; and eight nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father George Eliot Lord and mother Olive Abigail Lord, her husband Neil Warren Byer, three brothers, Paul Arthur Lord, David Lord, and Gale Eliot Lord, and one sister Helen Lord. She is also survived by two foster daughters, Donna Stewart, of Springfield, Mo., and Marty Hill, of California, Mo., and their families.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, at 421 N. Centennial Blvd., in Nevada, at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. Lisa Brown Stewart, Dr. Helen Washburn, Dr. Charles Nash and Dr. Michael Emery will speak.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cottey College or Moss House.

Inez was dedicated to her family, friends and students. She was a lifelong lover of education as well as service to mankind and God. She never stopped learning or seeking answers. We will miss her buoyant spirit and endearing charm, but know, as she knew, that Life is eternal. She expressed her innate happiness and her love for God and man daily and freely. Her life on earth truly magnified the good.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.evergreenmemorialchapel.com.