Charlie Byrd, Jr.

Charlie Byrd, Jr. was born on June 7, 1941, in Louisiana, to loving parents Charlie Byrd, Sr. and Carlena Tickle. Charlie was the second oldest of four children. He was raised in Woodville, Mississippi, and confessed his love for Christ at an early age. He was called Byrd, by many throughout his life. He was an outgoing youth and enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing sports. After high school, Charlie moved to Milwaukee, WI, where he worked at Walgreens Drug Store. Looking for a better opportunity in life, Charlie enlisted in the United States Army in 1960. While stationed in Virginia, Charlie married Rosa Brooks together they parented three children. After leaving the Army, he worked at Central State Hospital, Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company, and as an electrician apprentice. Byrd was a member of Club Char-Les-Manze. He was a member of First Baptist Church Harrison Street. Later in life, he relocated to Wisconsin where he met and married Earlean Agnew Daniel Byrd. Byrd had many hobbies that included: singing, listening to music, playing cards, fishing with his club members. His special talent lies in his love for shooting pool and darts, where he won many trophies and tournaments. After retiring as a machine operator in 1997, he loved tending to his expertise in doing electrical work for friends and family. Charlie loved helping people in need in any way he possibly could. We know him as a servant, and a leader at heart. Ironically, our beloved Byrd departed this earthly life on May 25, Memorial Day. He was 78 years old. His fair-weathered friends and family will always remember that Charlie was known for his quick wit, bold protective spirit, infectious smile, spontaneous singing, his kind, and compassionate heart, and being on time. Charlie's last words of comfort to us would be to us in this hour “I’ve lived a good life, and I’ve fought the fight. I’m in no more pain, no more suffering, and no more tears. So celebrate my life. Remember the good times and I will see you again”. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Theodore Woods, his grandmother Minnie Dowson, his uncles Eugene and James Black, and his son Kelvin Y. Byrd. Mr. Byrd leaves to cherish his memories: his wife of 25 years, Earlean Byrd; son: Charles M. Byrd (Denette) of Colonial Heights, VA, daughters: Clementine B. Cole (Terrance) of Chester-field, VA, and Kellie Daniel of Milwaukee, WI; two siblings: Mary Jane Pruitt of Milwaukee, WI and Dorothy Seiber (Ned) of Duluth, GA; four sisters-in-law: Odelia Lyons of Petersburg, VA, Lucille Clinksdale of Waukegan, IL, Dorothy Hunt, Hortense Mecham, and Ida Jean Agnew all of Jackson, TN; two brothers-in-law: Farmer Williams of Jackson, TN and Luther Williams of Milwaukee, WI; fourteen grand-children: Tia Byrd, Whitley Pryor, Wynette Pryor, Charles Byrd Jr. Kelvin Byrd Jr, Cierra Byrd, Kemonie Peebles, DeKeeka Coleman, and NaCarro Reese all of VA, and Daniel Brown of WI; six great-grandchildren: Elijah and Christian of TX, Kaylah and Princeton Pryor of VA, Ah’Veyon and Ar’Mon Howell of Clinton, NC; an aunt: Daisy Ross (Billy); an uncle: Matthew Harris(Thelma Lee), and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives. Also, he leaves very special friends: Sam Taylor (Baton Rouge, LA), Lawrence Walker, (Petersburg, VA), and Ray Coleman (Petersburg, VA).