James Howard Byrd

Mr. James Howard Byrd, 71, of 218 Atkins Lane, Mount Airy, entered his heavenly home on Saturday night, August 14, 2010, from the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Mr. Byrd was born July 30, 1939, in Surry County, son of the late Howard William and Lola Mae Hall Byrd. James served our country in the United States Army and was a member of Imogene Baptist Church. He was a truck driver for Grady Mitchell Trucking Company for several years and later owned and operated Graham's Florist. He is survived by his wife, Jean Law Byrd of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Timothy Ray and Lisa Byrd and Jeffrey Dean and Eileen Byrd, all of Trinity; a stepdaughter and her husband, Candy and Todd Gunter of Lowgap; two stepsons and their wives, Randy and Dawn Cassell and Chad and Christy Cassell, all of Mount Airy; three grandchildren, Allison Byrd, Austin Byrd, and Jeffrey Byrd, all of Trinity; four stepgrandchildren and a spouse, Noelle and Zack Tate of Lowgap, Avery James Cassell of Mount Airy, and Amanda Hethcox and Chris Hethcox, both of Trinity; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary "Libby" and Jack Profitt and Carrie Mae and Stanley Blevins, all of Galax, VA; a brother, William L. "Bill" Byrd of Mount Airy; his mother-in-law, Alma Corder Law of Mount Airy; two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Rhonda and Wayne McCraw of Mount Airy and Joan Wood of the home; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Larry and Debbie Law of Mount Airy; a special nephew, Dakota Southern of the home; several other nephews and nieces; and a special pet, Snuggles. In addition to his parents, Mr. Byrd was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Duncan. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at 2:00 PM at Imogene Baptist Church, with Brother Ken Aman and Dr. Craig Edwards officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, with military honors conducted by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, where his body will remain until carried to the church to lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the Imogene Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1062, Toast, NC 27049.