Hugh Byrd

Mr. Hugh Watson Byrd went home to be with his Savior on August 25, 2015. He passed away peacefully at his house at the Village at Brookwood in Burlington, NC. Mr. Byrd was born January 26, 1926 in Harnett County. He was the son of Cosby Roscoe Byrd Sr. and Naomi Jones Byrd, both deceased. He was the husband of his sweetheart of 56 years, Katy Smith Byrd, who went home to the Lord in 2008. Mr. Byrd lived a full life. He married his first love, reared three children, lavished his affection on his eight grandchildren, and died knowing that he was well loved by his family. He was a man of great strength and fortitude, which was best seen in the way he handled his business affairs. He was also a man of great love and kindness, which was most clearly seen in the evident pride that he felt for his eight grandchildren, who affectionately called him "Daddy Byrd." Mr. Watson, as those who worked for him knew him, graduated from Coats High School in Harnett County in 1944. He served in the U.S. Army as part of the 42nd Infantry Division. At the end of World War II, he was part of the occupational forces in Austria. He served until 1946. After his military service, he entered the grocery business with his brother C.R. Byrd in 1949. Byrd's Food Stores, at its height, operated 43 stores and had a large distribution center in Mebane. When he was not working at Byrd's Food Stores, he could be found with his family or at one of his farms in Snow Camp, N.C. He was a lifelong member of Glen Hope Baptist Church where he served on the building and finance committee, served as a deacon, and taught the fourth grade boys' Sunday school class for many years. Mr. Byrd, or Daddy as his children knew him, is survived by his three children: his daughter Kaye Byrd Canada and her husband Joe Canada of Burlington; his oldest son Michael Watson Byrd and his wife Janice Nash Byrd of Burlington; his youngest son Kenneth Hugh Byrd and his wife Laura Ford Byrd of Snow Camp, N.C. Watson, or Daddy Byrd as he was known by his eight grandchildren, lived out the principles found in Proverbs 3:13-17. They will remember his wisdom, strength, and kindness. His grandchildren are Matthew Scott Byrd, Nathan Edward Byrd, Madison Elizabeth Byrd, Joseph Byrd Canada, Jacob Ethan Byrd, Grant Watson Canada, Katy Susanna Canada, and Kenneth Hunter Byrd. His sisters Marie Byrd Clark of Pennsylvania and Linda Byrd Williams of Dunn, N.C survive him. He is preceded in death by his brothers Rev. Ralph Byrd, Cosby Roscoe Byrd Jr., Arthur Stanton Byrd, Clarence Granville Byrd Sr., Robert Kelton Byrd, and Lewis Talmadge Byrd and a sister, Doris Byrd Wood. The family will receive friends 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory on Wednesday, August 26, 2015. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at Glen Hope Baptist Church by Rev. Larry Redding and Dr. J.L. Williams. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery. The family would like to thank Daddy Byrd's loving caregivers: Neta Davis, Yesica Cardenas, Jill Kruske, and Sharon King. Memorials can be made to Glen Hope Baptist Church, 911 North Ave., Burlington, N.C. 27217. You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com Read Hugh Byrd's Obituary and Guestbook on www.lowefuneralhome.com.