Joy “Earline” (Byrd) Esmay passed away on 11/17/2024 In Missoula, Montana from Alzheimer’s disease, aspiration pneumonia. She was preceded in death by her brothers (Gerald, Larry), nephew (Dalin), brothers-in-law (Don, Bob), sisters-in-law (Sally, Zelda).
Earline was born in Littlefield, Texas on December 8, 1939, to Roy A. and Mildred (Miller) Byrd. As a child, Earline lived on family farms in the West Texas Panhandle. Although most of her childhood memories have been lost over the years, her children remember her saying that they didn’t know what hard work was, because they never picked cotton like she had to as a child (however, she was affectionately known as the “Slave Driver” by her kids). In her teenage years, the family moved to Draper, South Dakota, where she married Jerry Esmay in 1957 and graduated high school in 1958. Earline subsequently graduated from beauty School in 1959. Earline and Jerry raised three children, daughter Jera’le (Oregon 1961), son Keith (Texas 1966), and son Justin (Alabama 1968). As Jerry served in the military (first the Air Force and then the Army) the family moved often to various military bases. From 1975 to 1978, the family lived in Kitzingen Germany, where Earline got hooked on Birkenstocks, espresso, and fine dining. Around 1980, and for the next 20 or so years, Earline spent much of her time restoring historical houses. Family and friends who knew her said she could take junk and turn it into something beautiful. In 1983, the family moved to Stevensville, MT and purchased what would be another one of her “projects.” Earline and Jerry decided to divorce in 1989. Around that time, she established ‘Earline’s – Simply the Best’ hand squeezed fresh lemonade business. In 1998, Earline was in a near fatal car accident on Highway 93 near Stevensville, receiving a skull fracture among other injuries. In recent years, Earline was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Since then, son Keith, daughter Jera’le, sister-in-law Gayle, and friends/caregivers helped her with everyday tasks, so that she could remain in comfort at home. In August of 2024, all involved in Earline’s care decided she needed more support, so moved her into The Springs, Footsteps Memory Care facility in Missoula, MT. When Earline was not working with lemonade or home remodels/restorations, one could usually find her in her flowerbed or relaxing at her patio. Earline also enjoyed getting away from Montana in the winter, to spend time with her sisters in Arizona. Earline never re-married, but did enjoy many years of company with her good friend Scott.
Earline is survived by her two sisters (Doris, Cathie), three children (Jera’le, Keith, Justin), two sisters-in-law (Gayle, Dixie), two brothers-in-law (Chuck, Bill), son-in-law (Bob), daughter-in-law (Tami), four grandchildren (Angela, Jessie, Riley, Quintin), numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life social will be held in Stevensville on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Please see the June 4, 11, or 18 edition of the Bitterroot Star newspaper for time and location of this event.
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