Joe R. Byrd, 80, beloved husband of Mary Byrd, peacefully past away at home on Friday, March 6, 2015.
Interment to follow in Westover Memorial Park.
Joe was born on November 21, 1934 in Appling, Georgia. Joe attended Harlem Elementary School and Evans High School. He graduated from Evans in 1951. He attended a business school in Augusta and after graduation was employed by the Augusta Pepsi Cola Company beginning as a book keeper and working his way up to general manager. His years of employment there were from 1952 until 1967. Along with Hugh Hamilton and James Ilderton, Southern Beverage Packers, Inc. was founded in 1968 to produce bottled soft drinks and then developed into the bottled water business. In 1984 Joe became owner of the company with sons David and Stephen as partners. Joe held membership in several organizations; the Junior Chamber of Commerce, George Walton Masonic Lodge #699, Augusta Elks Club #205, and the Pinnacle Club. He served on the Richmond County Development Authority, Richmond County Committee of 100, and the Columbia County Development Authority. He was a member of 43 years of the First Baptist Church of Evans, serving as deacon, trustee, and Sunday School teacher. Joe made many friends in the Augusta political community, helping candidates for political positions with advice and friendship.
Joe was proud of his family, especially his grandchildren and delighted in spending time with them. There were trips to the beach and mountains, to Washington, D.C., the Okefenokee Swamp, and a trip to Alaska with his grandson Bradley. Many summer days were spent on the porch in rocking chairs with Joe giving the grandchildren instructions on life. He taught them how to garden and enjoy nature. Joe had an appreciation for nature and took many walks in the woods and fields on his farm, Walnut Hill. He enjoyed working with the farm animals and tendering a vegetable garden.
He leaves behind many friends who loved him for who he was, a friend, honest and true.
Joe is preceded in death by his father; Slayton Byrd; mother, Bertha Smith Byrd Brown; stepfather, Jim B. Brown; brother, Gordon Byrd; sister, Jeanette Broughton; and nephew, Joseph Gordon Byrd.
Copyright © 2004 Platts Funeral Home
OBITUARY EDITED FOR PRIVACY
Interment to follow in Westover Memorial Park.
Joe was born on November 21, 1934 in Appling, Georgia. Joe attended Harlem Elementary School and Evans High School. He graduated from Evans in 1951. He attended a business school in Augusta and after graduation was employed by the Augusta Pepsi Cola Company beginning as a book keeper and working his way up to general manager. His years of employment there were from 1952 until 1967. Along with Hugh Hamilton and James Ilderton, Southern Beverage Packers, Inc. was founded in 1968 to produce bottled soft drinks and then developed into the bottled water business. In 1984 Joe became owner of the company with sons David and Stephen as partners. Joe held membership in several organizations; the Junior Chamber of Commerce, George Walton Masonic Lodge #699, Augusta Elks Club #205, and the Pinnacle Club. He served on the Richmond County Development Authority, Richmond County Committee of 100, and the Columbia County Development Authority. He was a member of 43 years of the First Baptist Church of Evans, serving as deacon, trustee, and Sunday School teacher. Joe made many friends in the Augusta political community, helping candidates for political positions with advice and friendship.
Joe was proud of his family, especially his grandchildren and delighted in spending time with them. There were trips to the beach and mountains, to Washington, D.C., the Okefenokee Swamp, and a trip to Alaska with his grandson Bradley. Many summer days were spent on the porch in rocking chairs with Joe giving the grandchildren instructions on life. He taught them how to garden and enjoy nature. Joe had an appreciation for nature and took many walks in the woods and fields on his farm, Walnut Hill. He enjoyed working with the farm animals and tendering a vegetable garden.
He leaves behind many friends who loved him for who he was, a friend, honest and true.
Joe is preceded in death by his father; Slayton Byrd; mother, Bertha Smith Byrd Brown; stepfather, Jim B. Brown; brother, Gordon Byrd; sister, Jeanette Broughton; and nephew, Joseph Gordon Byrd.
Copyright © 2004 Platts Funeral Home
OBITUARY EDITED FOR PRIVACY
Joe R. Byrd, 80, beloved husband of Mary Byrd, peacefully past away at home on Friday, March 6, 2015.
Interment to follow in Westover Memorial Park.
Joe was born on November 21, 1934 in Appling, Georgia. Joe attended Harlem Elementary School and Evans High School. He graduated from Evans in 1951. He attended a business school in Augusta and after graduation was employed by the Augusta Pepsi Cola Company beginning as a book keeper and working his way up to general manager. His years of employment there were from 1952 until 1967. Along with Hugh Hamilton and James Ilderton, Southern Beverage Packers, Inc. was founded in 1968 to produce bottled soft drinks and then developed into the bottled water business. In 1984 Joe became owner of the company with sons David and Stephen as partners. Joe held membership in several organizations; the Junior Chamber of Commerce, George Walton Masonic Lodge #699, Augusta Elks Club #205, and the Pinnacle Club. He served on the Richmond County Development Authority, Richmond County Committee of 100, and the Columbia County Development Authority. He was a member of 43 years of the First Baptist Church of Evans, serving as deacon, trustee, and Sunday School teacher. Joe made many friends in the Augusta political community, helping candidates for political positions with advice and friendship.
Joe was proud of his family, especially his grandchildren and delighted in spending time with them. There were trips to the beach and mountains, to Washington, D.C., the Okefenokee Swamp, and a trip to Alaska with his grandson Bradley. Many summer days were spent on the porch in rocking chairs with Joe giving the grandchildren instructions on life. He taught them how to garden and enjoy nature. Joe had an appreciation for nature and took many walks in the woods and fields on his farm, Walnut Hill. He enjoyed working with the farm animals and tendering a vegetable garden.
He leaves behind many friends who loved him for who he was, a friend, honest and true.
Joe is preceded in death by his father; Slayton Byrd; mother, Bertha Smith Byrd Brown; stepfather, Jim B. Brown; brother, Gordon Byrd; sister, Jeanette Broughton; and nephew, Joseph Gordon Byrd.
Copyright © 2004 Platts Funeral Home
OBITUARY EDITED FOR PRIVACY
Interment to follow in Westover Memorial Park.
Joe was born on November 21, 1934 in Appling, Georgia. Joe attended Harlem Elementary School and Evans High School. He graduated from Evans in 1951. He attended a business school in Augusta and after graduation was employed by the Augusta Pepsi Cola Company beginning as a book keeper and working his way up to general manager. His years of employment there were from 1952 until 1967. Along with Hugh Hamilton and James Ilderton, Southern Beverage Packers, Inc. was founded in 1968 to produce bottled soft drinks and then developed into the bottled water business. In 1984 Joe became owner of the company with sons David and Stephen as partners. Joe held membership in several organizations; the Junior Chamber of Commerce, George Walton Masonic Lodge #699, Augusta Elks Club #205, and the Pinnacle Club. He served on the Richmond County Development Authority, Richmond County Committee of 100, and the Columbia County Development Authority. He was a member of 43 years of the First Baptist Church of Evans, serving as deacon, trustee, and Sunday School teacher. Joe made many friends in the Augusta political community, helping candidates for political positions with advice and friendship.
Joe was proud of his family, especially his grandchildren and delighted in spending time with them. There were trips to the beach and mountains, to Washington, D.C., the Okefenokee Swamp, and a trip to Alaska with his grandson Bradley. Many summer days were spent on the porch in rocking chairs with Joe giving the grandchildren instructions on life. He taught them how to garden and enjoy nature. Joe had an appreciation for nature and took many walks in the woods and fields on his farm, Walnut Hill. He enjoyed working with the farm animals and tendering a vegetable garden.
He leaves behind many friends who loved him for who he was, a friend, honest and true.
Joe is preceded in death by his father; Slayton Byrd; mother, Bertha Smith Byrd Brown; stepfather, Jim B. Brown; brother, Gordon Byrd; sister, Jeanette Broughton; and nephew, Joseph Gordon Byrd.
Copyright © 2004 Platts Funeral Home
OBITUARY EDITED FOR PRIVACY
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