Gilmer Free Press
Donald Ray Byrd
Donald Ray Byrd
Age 75, of the Hodgesville community died Sunday, June 10, 2012, at his home.
He was born August 23, 1936, at Cox’s Mills, WV, a son of the late Asel Boyd and Hestor Mayme Ann Smarr Byrd.
On April 20, 1957 he married Barbara Bush, who survives.
Also, surviving are one son, David Ray Byrd and wife, Tina, of Hodgesville; two daughters, Phyllis Ann Bailey and fiance, Danny Coombs, and Kimberly Dawn Gifford and husband, Russell, all of Hodgesville; foster son, Charles Stimeling and wife, Melissa, of Kesling Mill; one granddaughter, Jennifer Renae Ervin and Scott of Hodgesville; one grandson, Chad Allen Gifford of Norfolk, VA, serving in the U.S. Navy on board the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman; two foster grandsons, Travis Stimeling and wife, Melanie, of Decatur, IL, and Clay Stimeling and wife, Tiffany, of High Point, NC; two stepgranddaughters, Larisa Workman and David and Megan Workman, all of Braxton County; one great-grandson, Cameron Sean Ervin of Hodgesville; one foster great-grandson, Christopher Stimeling of Decatur, IL; two stepgreat-granddaughters, Mariah Bush and Kirra Laurentus, both of Braxton County; two stepgreat-grandsons, Nathan Bush and Gabriel Workman, both of Braxton County; two brothers, James Byrd and wife, Deloris, of Cox’s Mills and Asel Byrd and wife, Betty, of Cedar Creek; one sister, Ruby Bustle of Moses Lake, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Arden and Bertis Byrd.
Mr. Byrd was a well tender and a member of Sand Run Baptist Church in Excelsior.
He retired from Consolidated Natural Gas after 36 years and 10 months. He enjoyed working on old Ford tractors and farming and loved his dog, Air Bud. Mr. Byrd also enjoyed spending time with his friends in his garage. He will be sadly missed by his family and close friends.
Friends will be received Wednesday, June 13, from 10:00 A to 1:30 P at the church.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1:30 P at Sand Run Baptist Church with the Rev. Donald Butcher officiating.
Burial will follow in Mt. Union Church Cemetery in Tallmansville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sand Run Baptist Church, Rt. 2 Box 137-B Buckhannon, WV 26201.
Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.