Charles Jonah Byers Sr.

Charles Jonah Byers Sr.

Charles Jonah Byers Sr., 77, passed away at his home in Ruckersville, Virginia, on Monday, June 15, 2010. He was surrounded by his family.

He was born on September 16, 1932, in Green Hill, North Carolina, to the late Mary Ella Byers and George Washington Byers. He was also preceded in death by a son, Daniel Clinton Byers.

He is survived by his loving bride of 54 years, Elizabeth Sims Byers. He is also survived by a son, Charles J. Byers Jr. of Charlottesville; a daughter, Mary B. Wright of Stanardsville; and a son, Edward W. Byers and his wife, Brenda, of Dyke. He is also survived by a sister, Mattie L. Howell, and a brother, Michael A. Byers, both of Ruckersville; seven grandchildren, Ashley Wright, Amanda Nelson and her husband, Abe, Michael Wright, Kari Byers, Erin Byers, Sydney Walters and Taylor Walters; and three great-grandchildren, Daniel Nelson, Victoria Byers and Elijah Nelson.

Charles was an Army veteran who honorably served as Corporal in Headquarters Company 555 Combat Engineering Group (Germany) during the Korean War. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army Occupation Medal. He worked in the insurance industry for many years. He was a devoted husband, loving dad and PaPa. He was a member and trustee of First Bible Baptist Church in Ruckersville.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 2010, at First Bible Baptist Church on Spotswood Trail in Ruckersville.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2010, at First Bible Baptist Church with interment at the Ruckersville Community Cemetery on Moore Road in Ruckersville. Pastor James E. Woods will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Charles Byers Memorial Scholarship Fund - United Christian Academy or to the Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.

The family would like to thank Hospice of the Piedmont and friends, too numerous to list, for their tremendous support over the past week.

Preddy Funeral Home of Madison is in charge of arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.