Pernell Byrd

On Saturday morning, October 26, 2024, Pernell Byrd, age 73 entered into eternal rest and gained his wings. He was born on December 11,1950 to the late James H. Byrd and Dorothy T. Tynes. As a child he attended Westside as well as Hardy during his elementary school years and returned to Westside to finish out his high school years. One of his fondest memories was playing on the Westside All District Defensive team, which was known as the Westside Seahawks Football Squad, as a linebacker. The team ranked number one with a conference record of 4-0 and overall record of 9-0 in 1968. They also won the State Championship during his time playing on the team.
After high school, he went on to continue his education at Norfolk State University for a few years. He loved art, enjoyed painting and working with his hands. While at Norfolk State he also worked at K-Mart. As the years went by, he decided it was time for a change, and he began working at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock in June of 1979. The first position he held was a welder and then he moved to QID (Quality Inspection Department). Next, Pernell went on to be a crane mechanic. He was no stranger to hard work and always worked multiple jobs. While continuing in his position at the Shipyard, he also worked as an auto-mechanic. For many years he worked at different auto shops and even decided to try his hand as an entrepreneur when he opened Byrd's Auto Repair. Pernell believed in providing quality auto repair and was affectionately known around the area as "Byrd." He enjoyed going to the races and even had a race car that he called "Snow Byrd" which he loved to race at some of the local raceways. In Pernell's older years he retired from Northrop Grumman in 2015 as a crane engineering supervisor. Shortly after retiring he also made the decision to close his longtime business, Byrd's Auto Repair.
Even after retirement he stayed busy and after a few years he began working at a Public Storage facility a few times a week before having to stop to take care of his mother who became ill. Anyone that knew him knows that he was a die-hard Dallas Cowboy fan. As a fan for life, he was dedicated to the team and loved to travel all throughout the year to watch them play. Pernell loved bus excursions, visiting casinos and vacationing all over the country. He always had a love for music, especially Quartet Gospel. Some of his favorite groups were the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Canton Spirituals, Williams Brothers and The Clark Sisters just to name a few. Pernell loved his family and thoroughly enjoyed family reunions and other family gatherings. Another area dear to his heart was his membership at Brown's A.M.E. Church where he served as a trustee. He took pride in being a trustee and taking care of whatever needed to be done. Even when he began to have health challenges, he stayed connected and made sure he knew what was going on at the church. He was a protector, a provider and a man of many gifts and talents who lived his life to the fullest.
He is preceded in death by his parents James H. Byrd and Dorothy T. Byrd, brother Frederick Tynes. Pernell leaves to cherish his memory his wife Lillian Byrd, five children Felicia Warren, Shelby Boykins (Donald-deceased), Bruce Warren,Sr (Cassandra), Kristina Green (Riccardo), Claudia Martin (Carl), 7 grand children Emmanuel Watson, Ashli Boykins, Arlisha Boykins, Monyee Wheeler, Bruce Warren, Jr. (Charitie), Ashounti Warren and Kiara Warren, 3 great-grandchildren (special acknowledgement to Marquil Birchette who lived with him and helped care for him). Two aunts Virginia Blow, Maxcine Hilliard and one uncle Wilbert Tynes (Lorraine) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.