Mabel M. Bye

Mabel M. Bye, 106, of Overton, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2016, at Mount Carmel Keens Memorial in Kearney, Nebraska, where she had been a resident for only one week. Mabel was born October 6, 1909, at home on a farm just outside of Sedalia, Missouri, to Lorenzo Dow and Mary Martha (Smith) McCoy. She was the 7th child of 8 children in the family, and the only girl. She lived in Sedalia until the family moved to Loomis, Nebraska when she was 14. She graduated from Loomis High School with the class of 1930. She worked for various ladies assisting with household duties until 1935, when she married Cecil Henry Bye on July 13, 1935, in Lexington, Nebraska. The couple lived in Sutherland, Hershey, Lexington, and in 1949, Cecil built their home near Overton. She enjoyed gardening, and traveling whenever possible. She was an avid reader. The visits to the Overton Library yielded 10-12 books every few weeks, some were even reread. But, her most enjoyable times were spent with family, and friends. Mabel was the oldest survivor of West Nile Virus at the age of 93. Mayo Clinic contacted her and sent a panel of nurses to take vital samples for testing to determine if she had a Gene resistant to West Nile which could hold secrets to a new vaccine. Tests were inconclusive the last she heard. When you live to be 106 you do have health issues throughout the years!! Here are a few of the mishaps throughout her life! She caught her arm in a wringer washer, had a blood clot behind her knee which required her to lay flat for some time, she lost her right eye to cataract surgery, survived a heart attack at 95, she injured a nerve in her leg and was told she would probably be wheelchair bound, but she proved them wrong, she had a balloon Angioplasty at the age of 105, and was nearly deaf. So you see, she was pretty darn healthy! Survivors include her children; Roy (Susan) Bye of Grand Island, Nebraska, Dale (Janet) Bye of Lexington, Nebraska, Lois Bliven of Overton, Nebraska, and Melvin (Darla) Bye of Overton, Nebraska; three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Mabel was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Cecil in 1996; seven brothers, Joseph, John, Charles, Oscar, Harold, Ray, and Robert, and one son-in-law, Michael "Mick" Bliven. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, August 18, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington with Pastor Matt Doubet officiating. Burial will be in the Robb Cemetery south of Lexington, Nebraska. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2016, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.