Merle Harold Byrd

  Merle H. Byrd, of Erwin, born August 14, 1929, passed away December 4, 2022, in the very home in which he was born. He was surrounded by his family when he went peacefully in his sleep. Merle married Sylvia Turlington, for the first time, in February 1955 while he was in the United States Air Force. They had four children together: Connie, Carol, Johnny, and Cathy. 

     He traveled to many countries while in service. He parted ways with his wife but remained close to his children. When he retired from the Air Force, he had served 21 years and 21 days. He was ranked as a Senior Master Sergeant and the assistant to the Chaplain. Upon retiring from the Air Force, he worked as a corrections officer at Harnett Correctional in Lillington. 

     Merle loved to travel around this great country with his dog Tinkerbell. We have often joked that she ate better than he did. When asked why he only traveled with Tink he responded “Because she doesn’t talk back”. He always made everyone laugh with his jokes and quick wit. When he embraced us “healthier” family members, we were greeted with, “All this meat, and no potatoes”. Others have encountered, “Man, the things you run into when you ain’t got your gun with you”, and “I’ve seen better heads on beer”. Those around him would part ways laughing and being told, “I’m glad you got to see me” and “Keep it between the ditches”. He always wished he’d been born rich instead of good-looking. 

    The two things he was proudest of (other than his family) were serving his country and his Cherokee heritage. In 1996 his travels led him to Cherokee, North Carolina to discover our long-lost family, the Hornbuckles, including Wayne, Calvin, Audrey, and Mabel. He returned multiple times per year to build those tight bonds and hear stories of how our family came to be. During his travels, Merle was briefly remarried and had four stepchildren: Dennis Johnson, Sharon Bottoms, and David and Mike McConnell, with whom he remained in contact through the years. 

     On August 14, 2015, he and Sylvia said “I do” for the second time. The ENTIRE family drove to Dillon, South Carolina to watch them elope. When asked, “Who gives this woman?”, everyone responded in unison: “WE DO!!” with following cheers. They enjoyed seven years together after spending 50 years apart. They have welcomed six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Merle attended Pleasant Memory Baptist Church in Coats. 

   Merle is preceded in death by his parents: Johnson and Merna Byrd, his sisters: Rilla Godwin, and Hazelene Honeycutt, his son Johnny Byrd (who died at the age of 22 months), and his great-granddaughter Selah Bennett. 

     Merle is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia Byrd, daughters: Connie Bennett and Carol McLeod, both of Buies Creek, and Cathy Dixon and husband Shane of Clinton. Surviving grandchildren include Jamie Gilbert, Jason Bennett, and wife Brittany, Ashley Carpenter and husband Tim, Amber Carney and husband Sean, Jonathan Bennett, and wife Kimberly, and Jose Chavez and his wife Jessie. Surviving great-grandchildren include Payton Carney, Keygan Gilbert, Mia Carpenter, Brynlie Carney, Wyatt Carpenter, Zane Bennett, Spensor McLeod, Nehemiah Bennett, Sylvie Bennett, and Xander Bennett. 

   Merle is also survived by five nieces and nephews: Kenny, Donnie, Rhonda, Scott Honeycutt, Gary Godwin, and many great-nieces, and nephews. Long-time friends include James, Kathy, Jody, and Analise of the Yoshimi Family, Rich and June Carpenter, and Bobby and Mitzi White.

The funeral service for Merle will be held Thursday, December 8, 2022, beginning at 2:00 pm at Pleasant Memory Baptist Church. Interment to follow at Erwin Memorial Park with Full Military Honors.

A visitation will be held at West and Dunn Funeral Home of Erwin, N.C. on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Services have been entrusted to West and Dunn Funeral Home of Erwin, NC

Condolences can be made at westanddunn.com

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