Ollie Everett Byrd, age 70 of Malvern, died Sunday, January 2, 2011 at his home. He was born in Malvern on March 17, 1940 to the late Ollie Earnest and Ruby Alice Robinson Byrd. Reared and receiving his early education in Hot Spring County, he graduated from Glen Rose High School in 1958. Everett completed his associate degree in criminology in New Mexico, where he worked for the state's Criminal Investigation Division, running the crime lab. He was a fingerprint expert and excelled in mathematics. Everett had worked for both the Malvern Police Department and the Hot Spring County Sheriff's Office. Prior to his career in law enforcement, he had been manager for the southwestern district in the oil fields of Texas. A United States Navy and Arkansas National Guard veteran, Everett was a member of the North Malvern Assembly of God Church and the Andy's Coffee Club. He was an avid gardener, sharing his bounty with his family and friends. He loved feeding and watching birds, fishing, and traveling.

Everett is survived by his wife, Darlene Blair Byrd, to whom he was married on May 23, 1959 in the Big Creek Community; by two sons, Tracy and his wife, LaDonna Byrd, and Norman and his wife, Karen Byrd; by two daughters, Jennifer and her husband, Chris DeLoach, and Lanna and her husband, Lucas Rhodes; by one sister, Lynn Faulkner; by two brothers, Dennis and Ronnie Byrd, all of Malvern; by nine grandchildren, Brittany Jones, Stephanie Ussery, Steven Byrd, Shanna Gray, Kyle Byrd, and Ashley, Justice, Jaden, and Mason DeLoach; by nine great-grandchildren; and by his faithful dog, Rascal.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, James Byrd.

A memorial service will be held at eleven o'clock Wednesday morning, January 5, 2011 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Larry Stinson and Kevin Hunt officiating. Everett donated his body for medical research through the Genesis Program in Memphis, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be made via jafunkfuneralhome.com.