COURIER-JOURNAL OBITUARY 05/22/2011.
BYRD, DR. DAVID QUITMAN JR. was born June 14, 1922 and died May 18, 2011. How do you tell the story of a man who has touched so many lives? Described by many as 'the greatest man they've ever met,' Dr. Byrd walked close to God, and was a mentor, teacher, and counselor to many, a doting husband and father. The eternal romantic, to his dying day, David never failed to surprise Floriene with sweet mementos and daily reminders of his love and appreciation. 'Dede,' as he is called by his grandchildren, is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Johnnie Floriene Williams Byrd; his three children, John Timothy Byrd Sr. (Amber), Rebecca Elizabeth Byrd and Laura Beth Bailey (Mark); nine grandchildren, Heather Elizabeth Byrd, Brooklyn Nicole Byrd (and fiancé Seth Warrum) , Michelle Elizabeth Eaton (Joey), John Timothy Byrd Jr., Ryan Lee Bailey, Rachel Elizabeth Bailey, Haileigh Morgan White, Holleigh Noelle White and Kaleigha Rae White; one great-grandchild, Jadon Charles Eaton, with another great-grandchild expected in July, 2011; brother, Harrell Newton Byrd (Charlotte); and sister-in-law, Rosie Layne Merchant Byrd. Dr. Byrd never tired of bragging on his family, telling everyone he met. A native of Brookhaven, MS, but reared in Clinton, MS, Dr. Byrd received his B.A. degree from Mississippi College, and earned the Master of Divinity, the Master of Theology, and Doctorate of Philosophy Degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He holds honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from Union University and Mississippi College. Dr. Byrd is Dean Emeritus of Boyce School, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, where he also taught as Professor of New Testament. Dr. Byrd pastored West Jackson Baptist Church in Jackson, TN and Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church in Meridian, MS; and while a student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Byrd was Pastor of Waddy Baptist Church in Waddy, KY and Calvary Baptist Church in Harrodsburg, KY. Dr. Byrd served as Interim Pastor for Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Waddy; Cove Baptist Church, Louisville; First Baptist Church, Munfordvillle, KY, twice; Severns Valley Baptist Church, Elizabethtown, KY; First Baptist Church, Mt. Washington, KY; Vine Grove Baptist Church, Vine Grove, KY; First Baptist Church, Richmond, KY; Waddy Baptist Church, Waddy; Valley View Baptist Church, Vine Grove, Kentucky; First Baptist Church, Sellersburg, IN; Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Shepherdsville, KY; Bullitt Lick Baptist Church, Shepherdsville, KY; Immanuel Baptist Church, Shepherdsville; First Baptist Church, Taylorsville, KY; First Baptist Church, Fisherville, KY; Melbourne Heights Baptist Church, Louisville; North Oldham Baptist Church, Goshen, KY; Auburndale Baptist Church, Louisville, twice; Seaton Park Baptist Church, Louisville; First Baptist Church, Taylorsville; and First Baptist Church, Fisherville. He was actively involved in the Southern Baptist Convention and the Tennessee Baptist Convention. For the SBC, he served on the Executive Committee, the Program, Budget, and Administrative Committees, the Board of Trustees of the Annuity Board, the Committee on Boards, and the Committee on Committees. He served as president and vice-president of the TBC. He also served on the Executive Board, the Executive Board Building Committee, and as Trustee and Trustee Emeritus of Union University, Jackson, TN. Dr. Byrd served as teacher of the Revelation Bible Class at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky and co-taught the Bible Class at Heritage in Brentwood, TN. He has numerous publications to his credit and was active in various civic activities and organizations, including the Council for the Mentally Retarded, United Fund, YMCA, Salvation Army, Boys Club, Health and Welfare Council, Mental Health Center, Board of Governors, Chamber of Commerce, and was State President for the United Tennessee League. He wrote numerous lessons for the Life and Work Annual. He was a Teacher and Speaker in numerous Bible conferences in churches and conventions; and author of "Byrd Notes on the New Testament." His honors include Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Alumnus of the Year at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Honorary Alumnus of Union University; "City Maker" Award from the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce; and, "Milestone of Freedom" Award. He was a frequent lecturer and faculty member of tours of the Middle East and Europe. He was a member and deacon of Walnut Street Baptist Church in Louisville, and transferred his Baptist membership to Auburdale Baptist Church during his tenure as Interim Pastor, and held membership in Southeast Christian Church while teaching the Revelation ABF there, often referring to the fact that he was "a Christian on Saturday night and a Baptist on Sunday." He joined Brentwood Baptist Church on his move to Tennessee. Dr. Byrd never met a stranger and never forgot a name or that person's "story." In December, 2009, Dr. Byrd and his wife, Floriene, moved to the Heritage in Brentwood, to be closer to his two daughters, Rebecca and Beth. There, he rekindled friendships with seminary friends, and made many new friends. He also had the opportunity to continue his first love, teaching, by co-teaching a Bible class. A devoted Christian, Dr. Byrd looked ahead to his eternal life and his heavenly body.
Services will be held at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, on Monday, May 23, 2011 at 3 p.m. with visitation Sunday, May 22, 2011 from 4-7 p.m. at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home and Monday, May 23, 2011 from 1-3 p.m. at Brentwood Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be the Bible Class of Heritage. Services will be held in Kentucky at Alumni Chapel at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 10 a.m. and visitation Tuesday, May 24, 2011 from 5-9 p.m. at Highland Funeral Home in Louisville. Honorary pallbearers will be the Revelation Class from Southeast Christian Church. Interment will be at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the David Q. and Floriene W. Byrd Memorial Scholarship at Union University; or to the Byrd Memorial Scholarship at Mississippi College, PO Box 4005, Clinton, MS, 39058 or David Q. and Floriene W. Byrd Preaching Scholarship (this needs to be on memo line on any checks) Union University Attn: University Relations, 1050 Union University Dr., Jackson, TN 38305