Byrdean Cypher

On May 6, 2023, Byrdean Cypher, cherished mother, avid reader, and baker of chocolate chip cookies and brownies, passed away. She lived a full life to 94 and was a long-time Monahans, Texas, resident since 1965. She was born in Spur, Texas, on December 10, 1928, and grew up as one of 5 children on her parents’ farm, Viola and Everett Roberson. After graduating from Spur High School, Byrdie attended Texas Tech University, earning a Bachelor’s in Journalism. She met the love of her life, Hugh Francis Cypher, Jr. of Borger, Texas, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering.

They married in Lubbock on June 30, 1951, and almost immediately left for Venezuela, South America, for Hugh’s first job and adventures in a United Oil Company quonset hut near Lake Maracaibo. Their first daughter, Jill, was born in Maracaibo, and their first son, Chris, followed about 14 months later, being born in nearby San Tome. With 2 little ones in tow, Byrdie and Hugh moved back to Texas and settled in a tiny duplex in Odessa, Texas, where Hugh began working for the Gulf Oil Company.

The family soon moved into a small custom-built home with a big backyard in walking distance from the nearby elementary school. Their second son Mark came along a few years later, and a few more years passed before Gulf transferred Hugh and his family. So Byrdean packed up the kids and put a 10-gallon goldfish tank in the back seat with the kids and slowly drove, without spilling a drop, to their new home in sunny, sandy Monahans.

A second daughter, Robin, was born to complete the family. Byrdean filled her days as a full-time mother, tending to bumps and bruises, always-hungry stomachs with chicken and dumplings and birthday cakes. She still found time to pass along her love of reading, sewing clothes for the family, keeping house, and spreading her love of Texas bluebonnets. After her children left home, she shared her energy with the Friends of the Ward County Library and delivered Meals on Wheels to senior citizens for several years.

Byrdean is survived by her 4 children (and their respective spouses or exes): Jill Cypher and Ray Nichols, Lynelda and Chris Cypher, Georgia and Mark Cypher, and Robin Cypher. Surviving nephews are Paul Sweatt, Kenneth Sweatt, and Maryann and Earl Moffit; niece Manalynn Cooper; and cousins Shantel and Ireke Cooper, and Alison Cooper. Her 5 grandchildren include Lyndi Cypher Harrison, Zach Cypher, Terre Nichols, Tray Nichols, and Lissi Jackson. Her great-grandchildren are Jethro Jackson, Jericho Jackson, Zoe Pedicone, and Henry Nichols.

Funeral services will be held at the Harkey Funeral Home, 210 South Allen, Monahans, Texas, at 10 am, Thursday, May 11, 2023. Burial will follow at the City of Monahans Cemetery, where Byrdean will be interred beside her late husband, Hugh.

Please consider donating in the name of Byrdean Cypher to your local library, Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, and Hospice, as well as the Ward County Library, the Monahans Senior Center, Monahans Meals on Wheels, and Hospice of Odessa.

Byrdean’s family would like to sincerely thank the excellent staff at the Courtyards in Odessa for their adoring care of Byrdean, who was very impressed with them during her brief stay there.