RICHARD BYRD SR.

SIKESTON -- Richard Dowen Byrd Sr., 75, of Sikeston died Monday, Aug. 31, 1998, at Sikeston.

He was born Aug. 3, 1923, in Brilliant, Ala., son of Horace Early and Pearl Kemp Byrd. He and Loisel Elizabeth Young were married Nov. 6, 1943, in Sikeston.

Byrd farmed 50 years and had owned and managed the Mini Farm Market north of Sikeston for many years. He was a member of Miner Baptist Church. Byrd served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Richard Byrd Jr. of Tallahassee, Fla.; three daughters, Dixie Satterfield and Sandra Sitzes, both of Sikeston, Elizabeth Wunderlich of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Minnie Boone of Sikeston; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and five sisters.

Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Lee Fansler officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery.