John C. Byrd

Booneville - John Calvin Byrd, 86, died Monday, March 26, 2012, at Landmark Nursing Center after an extended illness. A Pontotoc County native, he was born March 22, 1926 to William Lafayette and Mary Belle Adams Byrd. He worked in the furniture industry and enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles. Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, March 29, 2012 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Pastor Neal Davis officiating. Following the service, burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. Survivors include his daughter, Arbetha Smith Krzesicki (Michael) of Largo, Fla.; two step-daughters Ramona Kendrick of New Albany and Antoinette Summerford (Buddy) of Newton; his brother, Dillion Byrd (Dolly) of Saltillo; many nieces and nephews including Jennie Cox and Vernon Arnold of Saltillo and Gale Oswalt of Shannon; special friends Ricky and Marie Tyus. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Olli Jewelene Byrd; two sisters, Eva Lowrey and Iva Arnold; and four brothers, Edward, Herbert Noonan, and Eldon Byrd. Pallbearers will be Ricky Tyus, Michael Krzesicki, Nick Tyus, Scottie Tidwell, and Richard Davis. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to service time Thursday, March 29, 2012 at the funeral home.