ST. PETERSBURG — Deacon Huie Lee Byrd, Sr., a life member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and a 95-year-old World War II era veteran, departed his life at Bay Pines Veterans Hospital March 12. He received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and a Philippines Liberation Good Conduct Ribbon during his enlistment in the military.
Byrd was born September 1, 1920, in Vidalia, Ga., to the late Andrew Jackson Byrd and Shellie Byrd. He joined the United States Army in 1942, achieving the rank of corporal then was honorably discharged 1945.
He attended Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach and moved to St. Petersburg in 1956 to advance his career in the construction trades. For 61 years he was married to Jadie Byrd who preceded him in death in 2008, and daughter Veronica Byrd passed away September 30, 2015.
Survivors include three daughters, Betty Byrd Walker and husband Jim Walker, Trenia Byrd Cox, Loretta Byrd Davis and husband Charles Davis; one son, Huie Byrd, Jr. and wife Donnesse Byrd and his sister Inez Calhoun. Seven grandchildren and one great grandchild along with a host of extended family members and friends are left to mourn his passing.
During his life, Deacon Byrd was devoted to his family and church as a former president of the Usher Board, a senior deacon and dedicated life member along with his late wife. He was a Free & Accepted Mason and a member of the St. Petersburg NAACP.
The wake will be held March 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 3300 31st St. S, St. Petersburg. Senior Pastor Dr. John A. Evan will officiate over the 2 p.m. services also held at Friendship. A burial at Royal Palm South Cemetery will follow the service and a repast will also be held at Friendship.
Funeral services are entrusted are entrusted to Lawson Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
IN MEMORY of ONE SO DEAR DEC HUIE BYRD SR, TRUE MAN of GOD “CONTINUED BLESSINGS TO THE BYRD FAMILY EVERYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD” “LIFT UP THINE EYES TO THE HILLS FROM WHENCE COMETH OUR HELP,ALL of OUR HELP COMES FROM THE LORD WHICH MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH” MUCH LOVE BUTLER MIMS FAMILY “MIMS SUNRISE MARKET” “BURGER TREAT RESTAURANT” “MERCY HOSPITAL HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD /22nd St 13th-14th -15th AVE SO”
IN MEMORY of ONE SO DEAR DEC HUIE BYRD SR, TRUE MAN of GOD “CONTINUED BLESSINGS TO THE BYRD FAMILY EVERYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD” “LIFT UP THINE EYES TO THE HILLS FROM WHENCE COMETH OUR HELP,ALL of OUR HELP COMES FROM THE LORD WHICH MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH” MUCH LOVE BUTLER MIMS FAMILY “MIMS SUNRISE MARKET” “BURGER TREAT RESTAURANT” “MERCY HOSPITAL HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD /22nd St 13th-14th -15th AVE SO”
TO THE BYRD FAMILY TREASURE YOUR FOREVER MEMORIES IN YOUR HEART of YOUR DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER VERY GODLY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY🙌🏼❤️❤️🙌🏼💕🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🦋🦋