Bonnie Erle Holland Byrd, 85, of Meadville, MS, died February 26, 2019 in Jackson at University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Visitation will be held at the McNeely Road Church of God in Natchez on Friday, March 1st from 5-8pm and Saturday, March 2nd from 1-2pm.
The funeral will begin at 2PM followed by interment at the Byrd’s Chapel Cemetery in Meadville, MS.
Riverwood Family Funeral Services of Brookhaven is assisting the family with the Revs. Brian Monehan and Kelcie Messer Henderson officiating.
Pallbearers are David Byrd, Daniel Byrd, Charles Stroup, Michael Messer, Frank Holland and Luke Brumfield. In lieu of flowers,
charitable contributions may be made to the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home at 800-654-1622 (http://smch.org/donate), or to a charity of your choice.
Bonnie was born January 14, 1934 and leaves behind a loving husband of 67 years, John Lloyd Byrd,
three sons, Bill and Linda Byrd of Shreveport, La, Bob and Susan Byrd of Hope Mills, NC, Ken and Debbie Byrd of Fort Worth, TX
and seven grandchildren: Ashley Thibodeaux, Danielle and Stephen Kozikowski, Michelle And Corey Snyder,
Arielle and Cody Hughes, Zack Byrd, David and Katherine Byrd and Daniel and Katherine Byrd.
She is also survived by her sisters Opal Messer of Natchez, MS, Brenda Williams of Meadville, MS
and sister-in-law, Ruth Holland of Natchez, MS. She leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and close special friends,
Benny and Betty Gorum. She is preceded in death by her parents, Monroe and Gertrude Holland,
brothers, Paul Holland, Arliss and Artie Holland, Bernard and Jo Riece Holland,
and sisters, Lillian and William Pittman, Itasca and Randall Brumfield, and Clara and Lester Browning.
Bonnie had various jobs throughout her life: keypunch operator, bookkeeping, sales clerk at a dress shop, country furniture store,
outlet store, and was undercover security at a department store and could easily detect shoplifters.
Bonnie was a servant. She served her family by keeping them grounded while her husband served our country for 20 years in the US Air force.
She always made sure her three boys were loved, fed, clean and well dressed.
She served as a taxi driver delivering her boys to Cub Scout and Boy Scout activities,
piano lessons, swim lessons, sporting events, youth camp, etc. She was a caregiver,
opening her home during Hurricanes Camille and Katrina, providing meals and a dry bed to people less fortunate.
She also hosted a new pastor and their family for three months while they waited for a home.
Bonnie served her country: She was a Red Cross Volunteer during the 1960's, was an active member of the USAF Officer's Wives Club,
and the American Legion Auxiliary. Bonnie faithfully served Franklin County District 5 as their Election Commissioner from 2000-2008.
Bonnie served her Lord and Savior. She was a faithful member of the Church of God for over seventy years,
playing the piano at church for many years and instilled her love for music in her children and grandchildren;
she prepared countless chicken dinners, peanut brittle, taught Sunday School and served on various church committees.
She showed her children how to “trust in the good Lord”. Her faith in God carried her through Rheumatoid Arthritis, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma,
breast cancer and colon cancer, and numerous health issues throughout her 85 years.
Bonnie loved to cook, sew, knit, garden, work puzzles and arrange flowers. She took classes in cake decorating,
flower arranging, reupholstery and computers. She studied at numerous colleges as she traveled with her husband’s military career.
She owned her own ceramic shop and loved to collect teapots, crosses, little shoes, etc. But more than any of this, she loved to shop.
