Essie P. Byrd

Essie P. Byrd,94, of Hamlet passed away Monday, November 29, 2021 at St. Joseph of The Pines in Southern Pines, NC. She was born July 5, 1927 in Bartow County, GA, a daughter of the late Walter and Dosha Mae Powell.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph L. Byrd and a daughter, Martha I. Byrd.
Mrs. Byrd retired from the State of North Carolina where she worked with the Child Support Enforcement Agency. She was a beloved member of the First Baptist Church of Hamlet. Her love of family was second only to her love of God and she gave herself in service to her Lord every day of her life. Mrs. Byrd spent many years driving others to church and doctor appointments and delivering copies of each Sunday’s worship service to shut-ins. When she became unable to drive, she tended to her fellow church members by sending cards for different occasions. She was truly a woman of God, and all her knew her regarded her as a shining example of what it meant to be a Christian. All her knew her were also aware of her third love – Atlanta Braves baseball. Mrs. Byrd attended a Braves series with her family every year for decades. She always wore her Braves jersey, shook her Braves pom pom, and did the tomahawk chop. She celebrated her 90th birthday at a Braves game and seeing “Happy Birthday Essie Byrd of Hamlet” on the field message board was one of the highlights of her life. Never was there a more dedicated Braves fan.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Hamlet with Dr. Allison Farrah and Rev. Randy Bishop officiating. Entombment will follow at Richmond County Memorial Park.

Survivors include brother Leon Powell and wife Pam of Atlanta, GA; sons Hewlett Byrd of Hamlet, Rick Byrd and wife Jennifer of Rockingham; daughter Shirley Byrd of Hamlet; grandchildren Lori Gibson Williams and husband James, Victoria Byrd Olivier and husband Martin of Baltimore, MD, Garrett Hayes of Southern Pines and Holli Hayes of Pooler, GA; great-grandchildren Collette and Sylvie Olivier, Deanna and Ruth Ann Williams.

The family will receive friends from 10:30-12:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 208 Charlotte St. Hamlet, NC 28345.
Online condolences may be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the Byrd family.

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