Mr. David Allen Byrd's Obituary
David Allen Byrd, age 59, of Maplewood Lane, Nashville, Tennessee, died unexpectedly January 7, 2014. He was born December 23, 1954, the only son of J. Pressley and Eloise Bunch Byrd of Sunbury, North Carolina.
He is survived by his parents and his three children of the home, Nathan Pressley Byrd, David Tyler Byrd, and Catherine Loraine Byrd. Survivors also include his sisters, Robin Byrd Huffman (David) of Burlington, NC and Pamela Faye Conklin (Robert) of Colonial Heights, VA; nieces Landis Huffman Sharpe (Andy), Kaitlyn Russell, and Jennifer Russell; and nephews Reid Huffman, Brandon Conklin, Langdon Conklin, and Sean Mevis.
David was born and raised in Sunbury, North Carolina, where he developed a strong love of the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He was never more happy than when he was casting a line in the ocean surf, a river, or a lake, except perhaps when he was cooking the fruits of those labors or other meals he shared with many. He graduated from Albemarle Academy in Elizabeth City, NC, and attended East Carolina University. He earned his degree in nursing from Edgecomb Technical College and entered a long and satisfying career in caring for people.
David moved to Nashville in 1981 and worked in numerous healthcare settings—coronary care, life flight nurse, radiology, and home healthcare. Before his death, he had worked in home health for WillowBrook Health Services, where he took a special interest in his home-bound patients. During his own hospital stays, it was common for old nursing friends to drop in his room to share their admiration of David and stories of how he had taught them to be good nurses!
David’s greatest pride and joy were his children. Nathan, Tyler, and Lanie were the center of his world, which revolved around their care, feeding, nurturing, education, and chauffeuring. Like him, they share a love of great music and a good story. Also at the center of this world was his caring, devoted church family at City Road Chapel United Methodist Church.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held 10 am, Saturday, January 11, at City Road Chapel United Methodist Church, 701 Gallatin Rd. S., Madison, TN. The family will receive friends before and after the service at the church. A memorial service will be held at his parents’ church in Suffolk, Virginia at a later date.
The family has set up an education fund for the children. Donations can be made by sending a check (checks only) made payable to "Byrd Children Account" to Navy Federal Credit Union, 1082 Temple Ave, Colonial Heights, VA 23834, ATTN: Linda.
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