Charles Morris Byars, Sr.

Charles Morris Byars, Sr., age 81, resident of the Somerville Community, United States Air Force Veteran, retired farmer and husband of Linda Rankhorn Byars, departed this life Thursday evening, January 7, 2016 at the Pine Meadows Nursing Home in Bolivar.   

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Byars were conducted at 2 P.M. Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Bro. David Reeves, pastor of the Midway Baptist Church in Whitevillle, officiating. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64.

Mr. Byars was born May 12, 1934 in Stanton, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Irvon Byars and MayBelle Morris Byars. He served his country in the United States Air Force and received his education at Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee. He was married December 20, 1958 to the former Linda Rankhorn and was a lifelong resident of West Tennessee. Mr. Byars was a member of the Oakland First Baptist Church and a farmer throughout his life. He loved playing pranks on people, being an auctioneer and playing Santa Claus during Christmastime.   

In addition to his wife of 57 years, Mr. Byars is survived by his daughter, Tammye Byars (Tom Ellis) of Hernando, MS; two sons, Charles M. Byars, Jr. (Dianne) of Nesbit, MS, Andy Byars (Connie) of Somerville; two sisters, Shirley Cooke of Prattville, AL, Joan Reeves (Royce) of Somerville; his brother, Paul L. Byars (Charlene) of Somerville; two grandchildren, Charles S. Byars and Andrew David Byars, both of Oakland; and seven step great grandchildren.   

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Ken Reeves, Steve Reeves, Thomas Ellis, Darryl Bonner, John Wesley Day, Mark Byars, Keith Waldron and Charles S. Byars. Honorary pallbearers will be Royce Reeves and John Day.   

The family requests that memorials be directed to the church, charity or organization of the donor’s choice.