Ora Fern Huskey Byron

Ora “Fern” Byron, 94, of Cave Creek, Arizona, formerly of De Soto, Missouri, passed away on June 23, 2026, in Cave Creek, Arizona.

Fern was born on April 29, 1932, in De Soto, Missouri, the daughter of the late Victor and Viola Fern (nee Henry) Huskey. She spent much of her life in the De Soto area and was a devoted educator, serving as an elementary school teacher for the De Soto School District.

On June 6, 1948, she married Kenneth R. Byron at the Oakland Baptist Church in De Soto, Missouri. He preceded her in death.

Fern was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of De Soto until she moved to Arizona to be closer to family in 2010.

She is survived by her daughter, Loretta Lee Harshaw of Cave Creek, Arizona; her sister, Beverly (Gary) DeClue of Avondale, Arizona; her grandchildren, Sara (Scott) Shimmin of Cave Creek, Arizona, and Julia (Lucas) Harris of Farrelview, Missouri; and her great-grandchildren, Odi (Grey) Barrett of Grain Valley, Missouri, Luke Shimmin of Cave Creek, Arizona, and Noelle Shimmin of Cave Creek, Arizona; brother-in-law, Dale Wideman and sister-in-law, Judy Huskey.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Opal (Stanley) Pinson, Doris Wideman, Victor Huskey Jr., Donald (Lillie) Huskey, Karl (Joyce) Huskey, Delores Huskey, and Janet Huskey.

Visitation will be held Monday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. Gene Smith. Interment will follow at Oakland Baptist Cemetery in De Soto, Missouri.