Kristy Bell Byers, age 60, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, at PruittHealth, in Ridgeway, SC, after a long illness. She was born on April 18, 1965, in Clover, SC, to Fred C. and Christine Melton Byers. She grew up as part of a big extended family, and was close to her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. She accepted Christ as her Savior and Lord at a young age and continued to serve Him and share the Gospel all her life. 

Kristy graduated from York Comprehensive High School in 1983, where she was involved in the school yearbook and was chosen as a Senior Beauty. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Winthrop University in 1987, where she was active in BSU and forged many life-long friendships. It was during this time that she became involved in Camp LaVida, as a camp counselor and missionary, and this ministry would remain dear to her heart.

After college, Kristy worked as a preschool teacher while serving as a youth minister at her church. She was a resort missionary with the North American Mission Board, traveling to sites like Florida, Mexico, Brazil, and New York, and sharing her love of the Lord Jesus Christ through puppets, clowning, and serving. When she moved to Columbia, SC, she worked as Director of Performing Arts at Columbia International University and later at the SC Baptist Foundation.

She traveled and performed as a Christian comedian for almost 27 years, singing, sharing the joy of laughter, and making even more friends through the Christian Comedy Association.

Kristy was active in her churches - Clover First Baptist, New Heights Baptist, and Trinity Baptist - teaching, serving in youth and children’s ministries, singing in the choir, creating curriculum for VBS, teaching Sunday School, and writing Bible studies on everything from pearls and rubies to beauty and laughter. 

Kristy was a talented actress and singer and was involved in musical theatre in her churches, Narroway, New Heights Community Players, Village Square Theater, and CIU.

Although she was “single from birth, which was longer than Jesus walked the Earth,”  as she often said, and never had children of her own, she cherished being “Miss Kristy” and filled the role of big sister, aunt, mama, mentor, confidant, friend, and co-conspirator to many young people! Her home was always open to anyone who needed a friend or a laugh, and she became the “party hostess extraordinaire,”  instituting several annual traditions in the 2000s - the most famous of which was her “Pumpkin Party” that she looked forward to every fall. Other party themes included: ELF, Frozen, Sock Swap, Easter egg hunts and teas, water/bubbles in the summer, apples, lemons, and, of course, the classic sleepovers with romcoms and a million yummy treats.

She truly knew how to find joy in an ordinary day and loved decorating her home for every holiday - even keeping a Christmas tree up year-round and only changing the theme as the year went on.

Kristy’s later years were marked by health struggles and financial trials, but she never lost her sense of humor or her love for her friends and family - and snacks! 

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother (Ricky), and her grandparents, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and extended family. Kristy is finally fully healed, strong, healthy, and at peace - undoubtedly singing, celebrating, laughing, walking the streets of gold, and enjoying her mansion - all decorated for Valentine’s Day - with Jesus, her faithful friend and the lover of her soul.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Trinity Baptist Church, 2003 Charleston Hwy, Cayce, SC 29033.

Memorial donations can be made to Kristy’s favorite Camp LaVida at the link below.

https://gift.idonate.com/baptist-foundation-of-south-carolina/camplavida