Charles Byrd

ELOY — Charles Archie Byrd, 80, of Eloy died on Aug. 16, 2012, at home. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Westside Church of God in Christ. The funeral will follow at 10. Burial will be in Eloy Memorial Park. Mr. Byrd was born on Oct. 9, 1931, in Kennard, Texas, to Isado and Ruthie Bell Byrd, one of eight children. He worked at Acid Delaine in Eloy for 30 years. During the off-season he worked in watermelon fields for 25 years. He learned the value of hard work to earn spending money early in life. As an adult he was a sharp dresser and kept his cars sharp also. He was devoted to his mother. He enjoyed teaching boys how to become productive young men through hard work. He would take boys to work in California watermelon fields during summers. He wanted young people to make future plans. He was a sports fanatic and took time to teach youth sports. He married Mattie Grant in 1952. Survivors include five daughters, Tommie Byrd Neal of Eloy, Lynette, Tiffany and Rozena Byrd, all of California, and Shasta (Byrd) White of Coolidge; four sons, Charles R. Byrd, Vernon Ray and Allen Ray (Byrd) Vaughn and Vincent C. Byrd; two sisters, Rosie L. Byrd Bradford Andrews (Bush) and Narvell Byrd Owens (Sut); four brothers, R.C., L.C., Jessie "Shake" and Isado Jr. "June"; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Eddie R. Byrd, and a brother, Delbert "Del" Byrd. J. Warren Funeral Services, Valley Chapel is in charge of arrangements.