Jean Byrd dies in fatal Winston-Salem collapse at high school graduation

Jean Byrd dies in fatal Winston-Salem collapse at high school graduation

Fatal Winston-Salem graduation collapse death of Jean Byrd – Obituary

Jean Byrd, a North Carolina mother, passed away just outside the doors of Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem on May 23, moments before her daughter’s high school graduation ceremony was set to begin.

Byrd was heading into the Parkland High School commencement when she collapsed in the parking lot, only about 200 feet from the entrance. Her son, Marquan Matthews, recounted on a GoFundMe page that he was performing CPR on their mother while his sister, Meilean, walked across the graduation stage.

Byrd was pronounced dead roughly an hour after collapsing. After receiving her diploma, Meilean was informed by a guidance counselor and taken directly to the hospital.

Originally from Philadelphia, Byrd’s family hopes to return her to her hometown for burial. In the wake of her death, an outpouring of support has come through both fundraising efforts and public condolences.

“Mommy, we love you,” her son wrote. “I’m lost without you and praying for your continued guidance from above.”