Johnnie Leonard Elrod

JOHNNIE LEONARD "JAY BIRD" ELROD, a resident of Hwy. 64 East near Laconia, died Friday, February 22, 2008, at his residence. He was 56 years of age and died following an illness of several months.
Funeral services for Mr. Elrod were conducted at 2 P.M. Monday, February 25th at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville. The officiating ministers were Rev. Jim Whitley, pastor of the Liberty Baptist Church in Somerville and Mr. Elrod's nephew, Rev. Tim Elrod of Newbern, TN. Interment followed in the Liberty Cemetery near Laconia. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Home - Main Chapel of Somerville.
A native of Haywood County, Mr. Elrod was born October 3, 1951, the son of the late William T. Elrod and the late Mary Frances Tinsley Elrod. He was educated in the Fayette County public school system and was a member of the Liberty Baptist Church.
Mr. Elrod was employed as a butcher in area grocery stores for a number of years and also was a carpenter. He was well-known for his love of cooking and food preparation and also worked for area restaurants including The Hut in Somerville.
He served as a caregiver for his mother before her death and his interests included gardening, fishing, gospel music, nature, animals and singing. Mr. Elrod was a lifelong resident of Haywood and Fayette Counties.
Mr. Elrod is survived by his daughter, Chrissy Elrod of Oakland, his son, Jonathan Elrod (Heather) stationed with the U.S. Army in Fort Bragg, NC; his sisters, Patsy Ann Sorrell (Tommy) of Somerville, Judy Chandler (Kenny) of Brownsville; his brothers, Thomas Elrod (Donna) of Somerville, Steven Elrod (Marcia) of Brownsville, Donald Elrod (Barbara) of Stanton and his grandson, Hunter Elrod of Fort Bragg, NC.
Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Mike Elrod, Danny Elrod, Kevin Chandler, Don DeFoor, Lee Doyle and Joey Benard.
Honorary casketbearers were Derek DeFoor, Michael Cannon, Tony Cannon and John Travis.
The family request that memorials be directed to the Liberty Baptist Church or to the Liberty Cemetery Association.