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“With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and slowly fade away. Although we loved you, dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating. Hard-working hands were put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.”

SEDLEY – Lloyd “Monk” Byrd, Sr. answered the call from his heavenly Father above to come home and take his rest on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, while peacefully resting in his home in Sedley, Virginia. He was a native of Southampton County born on Feb. 24, 1924, to the late Lillie Vick and Robert D. Holloman.

Lloyd was 16 years old when his mother passed away, and his aunt and uncle, Gertrude and Eddie Ricks reared him as one of their own children. He began to work on the farm with his uncle, Eddie, until he could find a better job. Eventually, he moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where he became a chef at a local restaurant. He returned to Southampton County, where he married Gracie Banks at the age of 17.

Lloyd was employed with Union Camp Corporation in Franklin, Virginia and retired as a logger.

“Monk” was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Lloyd Byrd Jr.; one sister, Inez Freeman; and two brothers, Roger Holloman and Johnnie Holloman.

He leaves to cherish his memory five loving daughters: Gracie Sandford (Alfred), Lucy Jones, Deana Myrick (Bruce), Mary Hawkins (Lenious) and Laura Warren; two sons: Lloyd Byrd (Deloris) and Charlie Byrd (Sabrina); two sisters; Ernell Boone and Audrey Grant, (James); 17 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Special thanks to Bon Secours, Franklin, Virginia; Sentara Obici Hospital, Suffolk, Virginia.

Special thanks with love to caregivers Gracie Sanford, Lucy Jones and Laura Warren.

A graveside service took place on Tuesday, Nov. 24, in Beulah Land Church Cemetery, 34122 Clayton Road, Zuni, Virginia, with the Rev. Joseph Whitney Jr. officiating.

A service with dignity was conducted by Wm. M. Johnson & Sons Funeral Home Inc., 224 S. Main St., Franklin. Please share your condolences with the family at wmjohnsonandsons.com.