L. Lawson Byrd

L. Lawson Byrd GLOUCESTER - The Rev. L. Lawson Byrd, Ed.D., passed away Dec. 9, 2010. He was born in Darlington, S.C., June 21, 1926 to the late David Alexis Byrd and Minnie Louise Gainey. He was predeceased by his 10 siblings, Clarence, Charlotte, Carl, William, Robert, James, Laurin, Harold, Leslie and Ellizabeth. Lawson married Marjorie Ann Adams in June of 1959 and they enjoyed 51 long years of marriage together. Lawson attended St. Johns High School in Darlington, S.C., and received his undergraduate degree from Furman University in Greenville, S.C. He obtained his master's in education from the University of South Carolina, and his doctorate in education (Ed.D.) from Duke University. While working in the academic field, Lawson attended seminary school at Duke and later became an ordained Methodist minister. At the early age of 15, he enlisted in the Navy during War World II and served on several submarines including the USS Bergal, USS Besugo and the USS Pike. After his discharge at the end of the war, he served in the Naval Reserves for another 20 years and retired as a lieutenant. Lawson began his career as a junior high school science teacher in Greenville, S.C. After receiving his master's in education, he was appointed the principal of several schools including a high school in Lamar, S.C., a new school, West Hartville Elementary School in Hartsville, S.C., Wythe Elementary school in Hampton and an elementary school in Beaufort, S.C. Once he obtained his doctorate in education, he was a professor at Clemson University, North Georgia College, and Lynchburg Community College. After 25 years in education and being ordained a Methodist minister, he enjoyed the ministry for 16 years in the Virginia United Methodist Conference until his retirement in 1988. He served in the local area at New Hope United Methodist in Gloucester County, Seaford United Methodist in Yorktown, and Asbury United Methodist in Newport News. Even after retirement, he was a member of the Tidewater Chapter of the Submarine Veterans of World War II, and served three years as the National Chaplain from 1997-2000. He was a member of the Honorary National Phi Kappa Phi, lifetime member of the National Education Association, member of the Dragon Run Ruritan Club, Abington Ruritan Club, American Legion, and a lifetime member of the Virginia PTA. Lawson was a retired minister of the Virginia Methodist Conference and had been attending Bethany United Methodist in Gloucester for the last 20 years. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Ann Byrd of Gloucester; son, David William Byrd of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Laurie Ann Flowers of Chesapeake; grandson, Ross Flowers of Chesapeake; adopted brother, H.D. Byrd (Mary) of Darlington, S.C.; sister-in-law, Mollie Byrd of Darlington, S.C.; and sister-in-law, Thelma Byrd of Troutville, Va. The family received friends at the funeral home Friday, Dec. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. A funeral will be held Saturday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. in Bethany United Methodist Church by the Rev. Arthur Wolz. Burial will be Sunday at 2 p.m. in Greenleaf Memorial Park, New Bern, N.C. The family requested that memorial donations be made to Bethany United Methodist Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 527 Gloucester Point, VA 23062 and/or the Alzheimer's Association, 6350 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502 Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.