Charles Dalton Byrd

Charles Dalton Byrd passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the family home in Mason, Tennessee on July 26, 2017 after a short battle with leukemia. Born on that same farm on August 9, 1929 to Charlie Edgar and Effie True Steward who preceded him in death, Dalton was the eldest of 9 children. The family lived in Tipton County where he attended Tipton County Schools and graduated in 1948 from Byars-Hall in Covington, TN. The Byrd family was well known as they traveled around to local churches and revivals as a family Gospel group. There at one revival, Dalton met his future wife, Dorothy who survives. Dalton was a Veteran of the Korean War. After returning from the War and marrying, he and Dorothy moved to Memphis where Dalton worked with Gulf Oil and Sears & Roebuck.

Dalton returned to Fayette and Tipton counties to farm and later joined Somerville Bank and Trust where he retired after 25 years of faithful service as an officer of the bank. He returned later, to the Hickory Withe branch because he missed his customers and worked another 8 years. He loved people and never met a stranger. He was well-known, well-respected and will be missed terribly.

He was a cattle producer and instilled his love for cattle and the family farm in his family who continues to raise both commercial and Registered Angus. He was a member of Tennessee Cattleman’s Association and the American Angus Association. Dalton had served as an Elder, a Deacon, a Sunday School teacher and choir member at Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Church outside of Mason, TN. He loved Ebenezer as he had grown up in that Church and returned to serve there many years. He was often sought out for guidance even if not serving in a formal position. Many former Sunday School pupils have often remarked as to how he was a role model and impacted their lives.

Dalton was a loving, hard-working family man. He grew up through the depression and hard times and would always work hard to provide for his family. His work ethic was impeccable and he taught his children and grandchildren that hard work was a necessity and expected in order to further themselves. He had a green thumb and always enjoyed a wonderful garden.

Dalton is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Ann Smith. He is also survived by his siblings, Lanie Byrd (Ruby) of Mustang, OK, Milton Byrd (Gwen) of Piedmont, OK, Martha Lou Wylie (Jimmy) of Star City, AR, Evelyn Yarbro (Maurice) of Covington, TN, Patricia Meinke (Floyd) of Mustang, OK, Louis Byrd (Patti) of Oklahoma City, OK, Linda Stewart, Perkins, OK and Virginia Byrd of Ada, OK. Also, he is survived by his children, Kevin Smith Byrd (Carrie) of Brownsville, TN and Amelia “Amye” Byrd Wininger (Troy) of Mason, TN, his grandchildren, Hollie Wilson (Julian “Skill”) of Somerville, TN, Nicholas Thomas (Meghan) of Williston, TN, Taylor Thomas (Dalton Ellenbecker) of Bartlett, TN, Jessica Brooks (Careg Bonner) of Nashville, TN and Justin Brooks, Jayci Brooks and Rebecca Byrd all of Brownsville, TN. He leaves eight great-grandchildren, Hunter Tipler, Kelsi, Keegan & Greaves Wilson, Jaden, Jacob & Jordan Byrd, Solomon Bonner and also a host of beloved nieces, nephews and a large extended family.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Belmont Cemetery Fund, c/o Jackie Simpson, 855 Belmon Road, Mason, TN 38049, or Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Church Building Fund in Mason, TN.

Funeral Services were conducted at 11 A.M. Monday, July 31, 2017 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. J.R. Clark, pastor of the Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Mason, officiating. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Belmont Cemetery in Mason. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - West Chapel at Oakland.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Kevin Byrd, Nick Thomas, Skill Wilson, Greaves Wilson, Dalton Ellenbecker and Mark Funk. Honorary pallbearers were Dicky Byrd, Danny Byrd, Tim Byrd, Chuck Byrd, Mark Byrd, Adam Meinke, Justin Brooks, Jimmy Summerlin, Charlie Byrd, Whit Middlecoff, John David Douglass, Johnny Driver and Dale Byrd.