Letitia Byrd was born in Bluefield, W.Va. She received her Bachelor's of Science in Music Education and Business Administration from Bluefield State College, Bluefield, W.Va. and earned her Master's in Guidance and Counseling from Eastern Michigan University. In 1966, she married David R. Byrd, architect. The couple settled in Michigan where she became the first African American teacher at Forsyth Junior High in Ann Arbor. Later, she became a Huron High School Counselor. Outside of work, she was an active member of the Ann Arbor community. She was a member of the U-M Musical Society, a member and chapter president of The Links, Inc., the first president of the local chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a member of the National Council of Negro Women, a member of the Board of Directors for Dawn Farm, and many other local organizations in which she participated.
From the guide to the Letitia J. Byrd Papers, 1970-2004, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
