Fred Wallace Byrd, Sr., age 83, of Malvern Arkansas went to be with the Lord Sunday, June 19, 2011. He was born to the late Grover and Ida Byrd of Brown Springs , Arkansas on December 15, 1927. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Edna Gibson Hughes, of Midway, and his great-grandson, Christian Chad Dardenne of Pine Bluff .

He served his country in the US Army Air Corps during WWII and the US Army as a Medical Corpsman during the Korean War. Fred received the Victory Metal for his services in WWII and a letter of accommodation from President Harry S. Truman for his dedication to his country and military service.

On March 19, 1953, he married to the love of his life, Wanda Lee Reynolds, at the Third Baptist Church in Malvern. Fred had a 25 year career with Arkansas Power and Light and Middle South Services serving as the building maintenance supervisor.

He served his Lord Jesus as a faithful member Third Baptist Church in Malvern. As a life long servant, he served 21 years as an AARP Tax-Aide Counselor. Fred never went a year without a vegetable garden and supplied fresh vegetable to friends and neighbors. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family fishing and camping.

He is survived his wife of 58 years, Wanda Byrd of Malvern, his children, LaDonna Frances Harper of Malvern, Carolyn Davis and her husband Robert of Pine Bluff, Barbara Darlene Byrd of Cabot, Arkansas, Fred Wallace Byrd, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Malvern, and Wallace Lee Byrd and his wife Stacy of Denham Springs, Louisiana. He is also survived by two sisters, Dora Rhodes and Sarah Ausema both from Camden , Arkansas , and 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held in the sanctuary of Third Baptist Church in Malvern , Arkansas at 10 o'clock Thursday, June 23, 2011. Brother Rick Hyde and Brother Gerald Taylor will officiate the services. Interment will follow in Jones Cemetery in Brown Springs , Arkansas .

Pallbearers are Fred's nephews: Gary Edwards, Ronnie Edwards, Donald Rhodes, Mike Gibson, Dennis Gibson, Chris Rhodes, Pat Gibson and Kenny Gibson.

The family will be at 1004 Locust in Malvern , Arkansas . Family visitation will be held at the J.A.

Funk Funeral Home, Wednesday, June 22, 2011 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.