Official Obituary of
James Byrd
November 21, 2018
James Byrd Obituary
On Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at 7:00am, James "Bunch" Byrd hurriedly answered his call from God to come home to be with Him.
James was born May 10, 1927, in Branchville, SC. He was the third of nine children born to the
late Willie Byrd, Sr. and Amanda Goldsmith Byrd. Growing up as a kid, James loved to eat peanuts, and as a result, his mother nicknamed him "Bunch". James' educational and vocational experiences were of a variety. He attended Mill Branch School in Branchville, SC, where he attained his formal educational learning. His vocational experiences included farming and being a dedicated employee of Cox Wood Preserving, where he retired in April 1992, with 27 years of service.
At an early age, James became a member of Mays Chapel United Methodist Church in Branchville, SC, where he served in various capacities throughout the duration of his life. His
love and passion for God were evident in everything he did. His favorite pastimes at the church include cutting the church grass and taking care of the Peter-Bowman Cemetery.
In 1952, God saw fit to bless James with a wife: Deloris Thomas Byrd. To this union, six children were born, His wife: Deloris, daughter: Catherine, granddaughter, Elaine, siblings: Willie Byrd, Alice Simpson, Freddie Byrd, Harry Byrd, and Saul Byrd preceded him in death.
As a devoted husband and father, he took great pride in rearing his children based on the word of God. When he wasn't working, he enjoyed sharing his life experiences. All he needed was one person and the storytelling would commence. His favorite foods were watermelon and peanut butter. A couple of weeks before he went to glory, he remarked, "OOOOHHHH, peanut butter and a cold bottle of water are the BEST THINGS!" One of his favorite sayings was "Put something in a crack for a rainy day." He loved all of his grandchildren and was excited when they came to visit. He would complement them on how well they were doing. His favorite scripture was "Honor thy father and mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD they God giveth thee" (Exodus 20:12)
The love that he had for his children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends was limitless. His love had no end and will extend into eternity. He leaves to cherish his memories to three daughters: Doris (Gerald) Wright of Eutawville, SC, Mary Byrd Cramer and Juanita (Jervey) Frazier both of Orangeburg, SC; two sons: James Byrd, Jr. of Bellevue, WA, and Cecil Byrd of Orangeburg, SC: four brothers: Paul (Marie) Byrd, Leroy Byrd, Jackie Byrd, and Tommy (Willa Dean) Byrd; thirteen grandchildren: Tony (Stephanie), LaTonya (Nate), Renee, Nicole S., Amanda, Cecil, Jr., Ashley, Jessica, Brittany, Nicole C., Christian, Thomas, and Carina; nine great-grandchildren; five sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A special thanks to caretakers Romel Ingram, Naomi Calloway, Barbara Miller, Doris Jamison, Vivian Fogle, Linda Harrison, and Pruitt Health Hospice.
James was born May 10, 1927, in Branchville, SC. He was the third of nine children born to the
late Willie Byrd, Sr. and Amanda Goldsmith Byrd. Growing up as a kid, James loved to eat peanuts, and as a result, his mother nicknamed him "Bunch". James' educational and vocational experiences were of a variety. He attended Mill Branch School in Branchville, SC, where he attained his formal educational learning. His vocational experiences included farming and being a dedicated employee of Cox Wood Preserving, where he retired in April 1992, with 27 years of service.
At an early age, James became a member of Mays Chapel United Methodist Church in Branchville, SC, where he served in various capacities throughout the duration of his life. His
love and passion for God were evident in everything he did. His favorite pastimes at the church include cutting the church grass and taking care of the Peter-Bowman Cemetery.
In 1952, God saw fit to bless James with a wife: Deloris Thomas Byrd. To this union, six children were born, His wife: Deloris, daughter: Catherine, granddaughter, Elaine, siblings: Willie Byrd, Alice Simpson, Freddie Byrd, Harry Byrd, and Saul Byrd preceded him in death.
As a devoted husband and father, he took great pride in rearing his children based on the word of God. When he wasn't working, he enjoyed sharing his life experiences. All he needed was one person and the storytelling would commence. His favorite foods were watermelon and peanut butter. A couple of weeks before he went to glory, he remarked, "OOOOHHHH, peanut butter and a cold bottle of water are the BEST THINGS!" One of his favorite sayings was "Put something in a crack for a rainy day." He loved all of his grandchildren and was excited when they came to visit. He would complement them on how well they were doing. His favorite scripture was "Honor thy father and mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD they God giveth thee" (Exodus 20:12)
The love that he had for his children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends was limitless. His love had no end and will extend into eternity. He leaves to cherish his memories to three daughters: Doris (Gerald) Wright of Eutawville, SC, Mary Byrd Cramer and Juanita (Jervey) Frazier both of Orangeburg, SC; two sons: James Byrd, Jr. of Bellevue, WA, and Cecil Byrd of Orangeburg, SC: four brothers: Paul (Marie) Byrd, Leroy Byrd, Jackie Byrd, and Tommy (Willa Dean) Byrd; thirteen grandchildren: Tony (Stephanie), LaTonya (Nate), Renee, Nicole S., Amanda, Cecil, Jr., Ashley, Jessica, Brittany, Nicole C., Christian, Thomas, and Carina; nine great-grandchildren; five sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A special thanks to caretakers Romel Ingram, Naomi Calloway, Barbara Miller, Doris Jamison, Vivian Fogle, Linda Harrison, and Pruitt Health Hospice.
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