Luther Martin Byrd, 87, of Ronda passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. He was born November 1, 1921 in Wilkes County to James Thomas & Lessie Mae Jolly Byrd. Mr. Byrd was a member of Little Elkin Baptist Church and was a minister of music and youth at Ronda First Baptist Church for 18 years. He served in the US Navy during WWII and retired from Chatham Mfg. In addition to his parents, Mr. Byrd was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Byrd; seven brothers, Lawrence Byrd, Fred Byrd, Walter Byrd, Alton Byrd, Joe Byrd, Ralph Byrd, and Jessie Byrd; and a sister, Erma Scott. He is survived by two sons, Keith Byrd of Elkin and Kevin Byrd of Myrtle Beach; a daughter, Kay Poindexter & husband James of Dobson; grandchildren, Laura Nixon and Casey Wilmoth; Great Grandchildren, Logan Nixon, Dawson Nixon, & Cole Dixon; a special niece, Delaine Burchette & husband Reggie; great niece, Beth Blevins & husband Donnie and their children, Trey & Tristen; a great nephew, Brian Burchette & wife Sandra and their son, Nathaniel; a nephew, James Byrd & wife Kathy; a sister, Esther Lowe; and a spouse, Donna Rabin Byrd. A funeral service will be conducted Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 2:00 pm in Little Elkin Baptist Church with Rev. Gwyn Anderson, Rev. Rex Walker, Rev. Danny Dodds, and Rev. Russ Nixon officiating. Burial will follow at Crestwood Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Elkin Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Little Elkin Baptist Church Building Fund, 1161 Little Elkin Church Road, Ronda, NC 28670. Full military honors will be provided by Yadkin VFW Post 10346.
