Jim Byrd

James Calvin Byrd, Jr. passed away Sunday April 21, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle at the age of 79. He was born July 31, 1944 in Arkansas to the late James Calvin Byrd and Florence Elizabeth Murphy. He went to work for West Point Casket Company in 1975 as manufacturing manager. After a few years he became a Sales Rep for MS, TN, AR and Il. Around 1990 he became president of the company. In 2002 he purchased a furniture company. In 2013 he went back to work in the casket industry as a representative for Matthews/Aurora casket company and after a few years he retired in 2017. He was past president of TFSSC and a veteran of the US Air Force, serving in Vietnam.

He is survived by his children, Joy Devore (Velton), Pam Byrd, Tripp Byrd (Judy), Tallie Gurley (Craig), Jamie Andrews (David); 7 grandchildren, Chelsie Carter, Ruth Andrews, Trey Andrews, Michael Devore, Evin Olds, Jakob Olds, Adam Olds; 6 great grandchildren; sister, Carolyn Cleveland (David), brothers, Artie Byrd (Janet), Mark Byrd (Kathy), Randy Byrd (Karen).

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lucy Byrd who passed in 2022; a sister, Judy Catt.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Wednesday April 24, 2024 at Robinson Funeral Home Chapel with Father Karl Schaffenburg officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Tripp Byrd, David Andrews, Trey Andrews, Craig Gurley, Jake Olds, Adam Olds, Rush Robinson. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Trulove, Phil Olive, Max Miller. A visitation with family and friends will be 4-6 PM Tuesday at Robinson Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation PO Box 316 West Point, MS 39773 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital PO Box 1000 Dept. 42 Memphis, TN 38105-1942.