On September 7, 2017, Garfield Edward Byrd joined his heavenly father in heaven. He was the son of the late Earl Banks and Verneria Watson and was born on September 28, 1927 in Mappsville, Virginia.
Garfield attended school in Accomack County at an early age, but had to quit school to enter the workforce to help provide for his family. He worked various jobs throughout his life, state department, Golden Pride, in the chicken plants, and finally at Eastern Shore Seafood. He made sure he always had the means to provide for his family.
Garfield was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church. There he served as an Usher and was also the church custodian. He served God and his church faithfully until the end.
On March 17, 1951, Garfield married his sweetheart, Ethel Downing. Garfield loved his family, he also enjoyed fishing. He would often pass the time conversing with friends at Stuckey’s and IGA. He will truly be missed by those in the community.
Garfield leaves to cherish his memories: his ten children, Winnie (Steven) Parker, William (Barbara) Byrd, Warner Byrd, Larry (Gloria) Byrd, Pauline (Fred) Crawley, Reginald Byrd, Sylvester (Wanda) Byrd, Valerie Townsend, Antonio (Audran) Downing, and Phyllis (Kerven) Lewis; twenty-eight grandchildren, Tromell, Jhorvis, Shay, Kendell, Tonieko, Shanieko, Sabrina, Julia, Julius, Jr., Adrian, Sr., Eric, Tyneika, Taria, Reginald, Jr., Avery, Aaron, Sasha, Nikki, Maurice, Sonya, Farrah, Thomas, Warner, Jr., Aubree, Jo’Von, Terron, Ethan, and Sheena; fifty-eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Shirley (Fred) Brisbon; one brother, Gregory (Brenda) Watson; special niece, Milly Northan; and a host of great, great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.
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