Phillip Elmer Byrd Sr.

Phillip Elmer Byrd Sr. was born December 12, 1933 to Eugene and Laura Byrd in Kirby, Mississippi, the youngest of ten children in the Byrd family. In 1954, after a short courtship, he married his wife Jessie Smith. In March of 1956, Phillip moved Jessie and his first young child to Los Angeles, California to start a new journey in life. Phillip began working in the steel industry and years later established his own gardening service until he retired in 1990. Even though, Phillip spent the last twenty years sick off and on, he enjoyed coming to all family functions. He was truly a family man that was involved to a great extent in all of his children's lives.

Phillip, currently of Lancaster, California, passed away on Monday, November 26, 2012 at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jessie Byrd, their eight children: Phyllis Harris, Belinda Byrd, Janice Brown, Patricia Delce, Marilyn Wallace, Phillip Byrd Jr., Audrey Byrd, LaTanyia Byrd. Three son-in-laws: Quinn Brown, Timothy Delce, Randy Wallace and one daughter-in-law Terri Byrd. He adored and will be missed by twenty grandchildren, thirty-three great grandchildren, one brother and sister-in-law: Richard and Thelma Byrd and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The visitation will be held at Joshua Memorial Park & Mortuary, 808 E. Lancaster Blvd. Lancaster, California on Friday, December 14 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Farewell services will be held Saturday, December 15 at 12:00 noon, at Joshua Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow in Lakeview Section of Joshua Memorial Park.