Cletus "Birdeye" Byrd

Cletus “Birdeye” Byrd, age 91, of Leola, passed away Sunday, April 17, 2016 at his home. He was born January 12, 1925 in Poyen, the son of the late William Benjamin Byrd and Clara Bell Wilson Byrd. Mr. Byrd retired from International Paper Company and Toler’s Lumber Company where he worked as a woodcutter. His favorite hobbies consisted of hunting and trapping. Mr. Byrd was a member of River of Joy Church in Leola. He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife and the mother of his daughters, Bettye J. Baker Byrd; second wife, Odesal Reed Byrd; four sisters; and two brothers.

Left to cherish his memory: daughters, Deborah Kilcrease (Mike) of Poyen, Brenda Emberton (Jerry) of Hollister, Missouri, and Dot Golden (Mike) of Leola; brother, Vernon Byrd of Batesville; grandchildren, Tony Emberton (Rachel) of Chesapeake, Virginia, Stacy Fausett (Morgan) of Hollister, Missouri, Eric Harrison (Melanie) and Alana Williams (Brent), both of Sheridan, Chad Hammond (Mechelle) of Poyen, and Devon Hammond of Malvern; nine great-grandchildren, three brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, April 22, 2016 at Buie Funeral Home in Sheridan. Funeral services are 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Buie Funeral Home in Sheridan with Brother Mike Kilcrease, Pastor Lindsey Saenz, and Pastor Adam Scully officiating. Interment will follow at Davis Cemetery in Grapevine. Pallbearers are Matt Powell, Eric Harrison, Brent Williams, Buddy Hammond, Tony Emberton, and Morgan Fausett. Honorary pallbearer is his long-time friend and hunting buddy, Clark Phillips. The family would like to give a special thanks to Mr. Byrd’s loyal and compassionate caregivers; Janie Justice, Wilma Finley, and Kim Russell. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. You may sign the guestbook at: www.buiefuneralhome.com.