Dist. Emeritus Charlie Byrd

BYRD, Dist. Eld. Emeritus Charlie F. - Age 82, passed away Friday, December 15, 2006 at Select Specialty. Family hour 6-8PM Thursday, December 21, 2006 at Greater Emmanuel Temple Apostolic Church, 1117 E. Genesee St., with funeral service commencing 11AM Friday, December 22, 2006 at Bethlehem Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith, 3401 Martin Luther King Ave. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11AM Friday. Dist. Eld. Byrd will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-4PM Thursday. The ecclesiastically and serviceable life of District Eld. Charles Frank Byrd was born into time March 13, 1924 in the small town of LaGrange, Georgia of the Christian lineage of Eddie and Hattie (Gordon) Byrd. He was the fifth of seven siblings. He received his education and early training at East Depot Schools in LaGrange, GA. At the age of 17 in the summer of 1941, he took a life defining step and was joined in holy matrimony to Maggie K. Boddie. True love does conquer all was proven, as this young couple were separated for a short time and reunited in marriage again in January, 1954. His love for his wife, the late First Lady Maggie Kate Byrd, was so fervent, that he married her not once, but twice, and did remain faithful until the end. Always a hard worker and outstanding provider for his family, his career as a General Motors Corporation employee - Division of Buick Motor Division toppled many racial barriers. Because of his Christian temperament he was considered as the "Jackie Robinson" of Buick Motor Division. He was the first African-American to be employed as an interplant mail carrier and also was appointed to a semi-skilled position of tractor trailer truck driver. He retired in 1981 with over 25 years of service. He was also a member of UAW - Local #599. District Eld. Byrd was baptized in Jesus Name in August, 1953 at Greater Bethlehem Temple in Detroit, MI where Bishop Samuel Hancock was the Pastor. He received the gift of the Holy Ghost on December 27, 1953 at Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church, Flint, MI under the leadership of the late Dist. Eld. B.T. Scott. Fervent in his belief and ready to do God's will, he eagerly served in several capacities during the 14 years that he was a member at Bethlehem Temple; the Superintendent of the Sunday School, member of the Usher Board, Brotherhood and sang in the Senior Choir. District Eld. Byrd "willingly" accepted God's calling of him to the ministry and was ordained in Miami, Florida in 1969 under the leadership of Bishop R.P. Paddock and then District Eld. Willie Burrell, Sr. He spent 7 years under the ministerial tutelage of Eld. B.T. Scott. An obedient servant of God's will, in April, 1967, he accepted the responsibility of pastorate of the congregation of Emmanuel Temple Apostolic Church following the unexpected and untimely death of the founding Pastor, Robert F. Gamble. Under his capable leadership, Emmanuel Temple was able burn its mortgage in 1976, nine years ahead of schedule. Prior to Dist. Eld. Byrd's retirement March, 2006, due to ill health, he had served as a District Elder of the 9th District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. and was responsible for eight churches across southeastern Michigan. He had also served as State Director of the Michigan Brotherhood and was a member of the esteemed Northern District Council Advisory Board under jurisdiction of the Honorable Harry L. Herman, Diocesan of the 5th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Leaving fond memories in the hearts of his beloved daughters, Tonya (Kennedy) Jones, Houston, TX, Sonya (Neville) Mason, Flint, grandchildren, Min. J'Monte Byrd, Flint, Astasia Byrd, Kennedy Jones. II, Houston, TX, Neville and Nicholas Mason, Flint. Children under their care the late Brenda Chappel, Min. Mary Byrd Williams, Officer Twanda Plair, Renetha Plair, , Bertrand Lawrence; god-children, Kevin Washington, Monisa Logan, Habari Logan, Cameron Logan, Teneal (Tucker) Hudson, Michael Edwards, Kevin Owens... Sister in law: Lois (Oscar) Beason, Dayton, OH, Martha Byrd, Detroit, MI, brother-in-law, James (Lela) Boddie, Flint, many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear relatives survive. Special thanks to Dr; Khalid Ahmed, Hurley Medical Center, Specialty Hospital, 11th 4th and 6th floors for their outstanding care of our loved one. Dist. Eld. Byrd was preceded in death by wife, First Lady Maggie K. Byrd; parents, Eddie and Hattie Byrd; three brothers, Eddie, Willie and Ulysses; three sisters, Georgiana, Evelyn and Hattie; great-aunt, Ozzie Florence. Love and thanks to niece, Camille Owens for her tremendous support prior to and during the preparation of this Homegoing Celebration.