The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, July 23, 1996                TAG: 9607230180
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   28 lines

DEVONA M. BYARS

Devona Marla Byars, 25, of the 1600 block of Lyontine Lane, died July 20, 1996, in Portsmouth.

She was born in Portsmouth and was a residential counselor at Pines Treatment Center. She was a 1987 graduate of I.C. Norcom High School, Portsmouth, and a 1993 graduate of Norfolk State University with a B.A. degree in sociology with an emphasis in criminal justice.

Survivors include a daughter, Kia Lanae Byars of Portsmouth; her parents, Mary R. and George T. Byars of Portsmouth; a sister, Shelia Byars of Los Angeles; a brother, George T. Byars Jr. of Portsmouth; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joel E. Rawls of Portsmouth, and paternal grandmother, Rena Twitty of Hanceville, Alabama; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

The funeral will be conducted Thursday at noon by Elder Charles H. Bowens II in New Testament Church, Portsmouth. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake. Corprew Funeral Home is in charge. Viewing at the funeral home will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The body will be taken to the church at 11 a.m. Thursday. The family will receive friends at 1604 Lyontine Lane, Portsmouth. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB