THOMAS BYRD

CHARLESTON -- Thomas A. Byrd, 97, of Charleston died Monday, Sept. 1, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 16, 1899, in Charleston, son of James L. and Lucy Hunter Byrd Sr. He and Helen Swayne were married June 2, 1930. She died June 13, 1996.

Byrd was a graduate of Western Military Academy in Alton, Ill., and attended the University of Missouri at Columbia.

He returned to Charleston where he farmed and was a partner in the James L. Byrd Lumber Co. He was a member of St. James Drainage District Board 43 years.

Byrd was a member of Charleston United Methodist Church, Charleston Masonic Lodge 407 AF&AM, Moolah Temple and 32nd Degree Scottish Rite of St. Louis, Knights Templar in Cape Girardeau, and was the oldest living member of Charleston Kiwanis Club.

Survivors include two sons, Thomas and Hugh Byrd of Charleston; and two grandsons.

Friends may call at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston from 4:30-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul Episcopal Church, with the Rev. William Pyron officiating. Entombment will be in the Byrd family mausoleum at IOOF Cemetery near Charleston.