D.C. Reverend Byrd

Reverend D.C. Byrd died Monday, August 3, 2009 at Ivy Hall Nursing Home, Elizabethton. He was the son of the late Dewey and Matilda Street Byrd. He was born in Bakersville, North Carolina, but lived in Carter County all of his life. He served in the Air Force during WWII traveling to many different countries while in service. He was a Free Will Baptist Preacher pastoring several churches in the area including Holly Springs Free Will Baptist, Rich Acres Free Will Baptist, East Side Free Will Baptist, West View Free Will Baptist, Watauga Valley Free Will Baptist, Berea Free Will Baptist, Milligan Free Will Baptist (which he organized in 1985) and Union Hill Free Will Baptist. He attended College Park Free Will Baptist Church as long as he was able. He preached many revivals all over the United States and officiated many weddings and funerals. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Bernice Moore and Sharon Street, one brother, Carlos Byrd, and two sisters, Learly Campbell and Velma Gray. Survivors include his wife, Mary Phipps Byrd, one son and daughter-in-law, Darrell and Cinda Byrd, two sons-in-law, Fred Moore and Richard Street, four granddaughters and their husbands, Kristi and Kevin Colbaugh, Kara and Josh McGee, Dawn and Nathan Jennings, and Mandy and Wes Greer, six great grandchildren, Nick, Tyler, Kaylee, Ashlee, Abby and Shay, and future great grandbaby Greer, three sisters, Ida Hanuvoski, Betty Lyons and her husband, Harold, and Georgia King, one brother, D.H. Byrd and his wife, Betty, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 8 pm at Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church with Reverend Nathan Jennings and Reverend Ray Colbaugh officiating. Music will be provided by Mandy and Wes Greer, Megan Johnson and the New Liberty Quartet. The family will receive friends from 4 until 8 pm at the church. Burial will be at 11 am Thursday at Monte Vista Memorial Park with full military honors. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the funeral home by 10:30 am and travel in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kevin Colbaugh, Josh McGee, Wes Greer, Ron Barnett, Nick Colbaugh, Tyler Carrier, and Ronnie Heaton. Honorary pallbearers will be members of his former churches and employees of Ivy Hall Nursing Home. The family expresses sincere thanks to Ivy Hall Nursing Home for their love and compassion given to Mr. Byrd and his family.