Reverend Milton A. Byrd Sr.

Reverend Milton A. Byrd, Sr. was born on May 28, 1939 in Rock Bluff, Florida, the third child of the late William and Olivia Brigham Byrd of Panama City, Florida. He graduated from the public schools in Panama City and attended Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida. While attending Edward Waters College, he was called to the Ministry. Prior to becoming the pastor at Bethlehem, he pastored the St. Luke A.M.E. Church and the Vernon Circuit in Florida, and the Messiah Baptist Church and Ferguson Grove Baptist Church in Virginia. Reverend Byrd continued his studies at Southeastern University in Greenville, South Carolina where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. He later received his Bachelor of Divinity degree. He worked with the deaf and the blind for seven years and received awards and certificates both in education and for his involvement for the betterment of the community. In 1978, he was called to pastor Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Roselle, New Jersey. Under his leadership, numerous souls have been saved; the Baptist Training Union revitalized; a Mass Choir and Voices of the Morning founded; the Hostess Club, New Membership Committee and Men's Club established; church vans were purchased; a pilot program for unwed teens, Praise Dance Ministry, Soup Kitchen, the Adopt-a-Grandparent and One Step Beyond Ministries established as well as other improvements and programs instituted for the betterment of the Church and the community. Also under the leadership of Pastor Byrd, the edifice was renovated and the mortgage paid off; the Building Fund Committee reactivated and a new parsonage was built. The Church renewed their membership with the Building Fund Convention and he was active in the New Hope Missionary Baptist Association, The General Baptist State Convention and The National Baptist Conventions, and The United Missionary Baptist Association. He was a member of the Masons in Florida and when he came to New Jersey, he joined the Pride of Corinthians #112 International Masons and Order of Eastern Star where he served as Chaplain. On October 9, 1999, Reverend Milton A. Byrd, Sr. was joined in holy matrimony to the former Gloria Morgan and this union was blessed beyond measure. Reverend Milton A. Byrd, Sr. departed this life at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey and went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. He was predeceased by his daughter, Lataunga Yvette Byrd. He leaves to cherish fond memories, his loving and devoted wife of 14 years, who was his "Angel," First Lady Gloria Byrd; children: Milton, Jr. (Marilyn) of Iowa, Kimberly Denise Byrd of Roselle, New Jersey, Stephen Vincent Byrd of Franklin Township, New Jersey, Kimberly Parks (Sylvester) of Rockhill, South Carolina, Anthony Morgan (Lorraine) of Elizabeth, New Jersey and Joma Morgan (Catrica) of Wilmington, Delaware; siblings: Rev. Dr. Elton T. Byrd (Louberta) of Willingboro, New Jersey, William Byrd (Minnie) of Pensacola, Florida, Mrs. Maurice Sizer (Charles) of Dublin, Georgia and Merial J. Byrd of Panama, Florida; grandchildren: Milton III, Candace and Dominic Byrd, Brittany Pennington, Jasmine and Brianna Byrd, Alicia Morgan, Ryan Parks, Brittany Morgan, Taree and Matthew Morgan; great-grandchildren: Kylan, Trinity and Aden Byrd; special sister, Shirley Williams; mother-in-law, Henrietta Moore of Rockhill, South Carolina; sisters-in-law: Linda McDuffie (Dock) of York, South Carolina, Selma Alston (Kenneth) of Lithonia, Georgia and Mary Mobley (William) of Beauford, South Carolina; brother-in-law, Charles Moore of Rockhill, South Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, God children of all ages whom he loved as his own children and the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church family. Pastor Byrd, with his spirit of caring and sharing and his "open door" policy, has proven himself to be a Child of God and a Pastor who was deeply dedicated to God's program, the Church, the Church family and to helping all mankind. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to: The Bethlehem Scholarship Fund. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Reverend Milton A. Byrd, Sr. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.