It is with great sadness we announce the death of Martha Yandel Byars DuBard of Jefferson on June 8, 2026. She was born on July 28, 1938 to the late Woodrow Byars and Gladys Knight Byars in Big Creek, Calhoun County, MS. She was very proud to be from Big Creek and a graduate of Big Creek School and went to her school reunion every year to see her old friends.

She married Sidney, the love of her life, in 1963 and they shared a lifetime of happiness until his passing in 2017. Yandel was a devoted wife, mother and the consummate hostess. Her number one rule for a party: never run out of food! She was famous for her table spreads and especially for her caramel candy, pimento cheese and her various canned items like chow-chow and sweet pickles. She wore many hats and could always be found supporting Sidney in the fields, cotton gin and the woods over the years. She defiantly stated that she would not learn how to drive a log truck or she would have to do that too. She finally retired as a unit clerk from the Grenada Lake Hospital after many years. Soon after moving to Jefferson, she started working at the local election poll and did so for over 50 fifty years serving her community. She also served in many roles in the church including teaching GAs and in the kitchen of Emmanuel Baptist Church which she considered one of the highlights of her life especially when serving during disaster relief efforts. She and Sidney loved Ole Miss, especially football. They planned and organized many bus trips for friends and family for away games telling fantastic stories and eating all the way.

She raised three children, Keith DuBard of Jefferson, Bryan DuBard(deceased) and Myradel Sibley (Warren) of Americus, GA. She is also survived by two sisters, Ouida French of Senatobia and Dianne Holden of Grenada; two grandsons, Will DuBard and Draven DuBard both of Austin, TX and multiple foster grandchildren whom she loved as her own, specifically Teyonna, Kiley and Alex with whom she spent a lot of time.

In a final act of generosity, Yandel donated her body to the Anatomical Research Program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. A memorial service and celebration of her life is planned for Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada at 2:00 followed by visitation in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).