Joseph E. Byrd

Joseph E. Byrd, 93, of Vancleave, MS passed away Monday, January 7, 2019 in Vancleave. Mr. Byrd was born in Hattiesburg, MS and was a longtime resident of the coast. He served in the USMC in WWII, after lying about his age in order to join. Mr. Byrd was employed at the Biloxi VA as an orderly for many years. After retirement, he spent his days fishing the back waters of the coast. Mr. Byrd was an avid camper in the Great Smokey Mountains since the 1950’s. One of his defining traits was his ability to relate to and his love for children. He spent his twilight years in the company of his great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lilly Byrd; his wife, Shirley Byrd; and his sisters, Francis Adams and Lillian Minter. Mr. Byrd’s survivors include his sons, Keith Byrd and Scott (Anita) Byrd, both of Biloxi; his sisters, Mary Herrin of Petal, MS and Fern Short of Fort Wayne, IN; his grandchildren, Sarah (David) Schmidt, Ryan (Trisha) Byrd and Lauren Byrd; and five great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at the Vancleave Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11:30 am. Family and friends may visit from 9:30 am until service time.