Iletha Byers

Iletha was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Clydia Andrews and Lucius Jones. In her early church life, she was under the guidance of her uncle Reverend James Young. Later, she joined Mount Carmel Baptist church (Rev. Frank Williams).  She graduated from Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in 1985 as one of the top students in her class. She was in the gifted and talented program. With a scholarship she attended Rockhurst University, then transferred to Avila University where she earned her Bachelors of Sociology in 1992. With her love of education, she enrolled at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) and earned her Master's degree in 1994.

She left her longtime job with the federal government in the small business administration office in 1995 and accepted a job with Shook, Hardy, and Bacon Law Firm in Downtown Kansas City. Iletha retired in 2002 from the law firm due to her battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

She married Kenneth Byers on February 12, 2005, in Branson, Missouri. Prior to this union twins, Kenneth Jr. and Amina Byers were born in 2001. Iletha and Kenneth met as children in 6th grade. They were happily married for 18 years. She was preceded in death by her father and mother. She leaves to mourn: her husband, Kenneth Byers; children, Amina and Kenneth Byers Jr; two sisters; Joanne Freeman, and Wendy Lacy; and brother Rodney Andrews, and a host of other loved ones.