Obituaries

Gerald Lee Byrd, 82, of Martinsville, VA, passed away on January 8, 2024. He was born August 6, 1941, in Murfreesboro, NC., to the late Southgate and Ruth Byrd. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, David Andrew Byrd.

Gerald was a member of Fort Trial Baptist Church in Stanleytown, VA. He attended Chowan College for his business degree. He pursued a degree in history, and he completed his master’s at Virginia Tech in English. He was a teacher at Bassett High School for thirty-three years. He was on the management team of the Henry County Public Schools Writing Group for an additional fifteen years. With his love of history, he was a world traveler and had pen pals all over the world.

Gerald leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Carolyn Kenney Byrd; one daughter, Sandra Leigh Weaver (Brian); five grandchildren, Joshua Byrd (Molli), Donna Rae Hines, Daniel Greer, Olivia Byrd, and Hannah Byrd; and seven great-grandchildren, Amelia Hundley, Willow Hines, Rylun Hines, Lilly Hines, Jameson Greer, Aela Hines, and Hattie Byrd; one brother, Donnie Byrd (Anita); one sister, Lou Ann Fulks (Bryan); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Fort Trial Baptist Church. The family will receive friends following the service and at other times his daughter's residence, 1230 Ranson Road, Martinsville, Virginia 24112. The burial is private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hope Center, Axton, Va., and the Bassett Historical Center, 3964 Fairystone Park Highway.

Bassett Funeral Service is serving the Byrd family.