Arkansas Mourns the Loss of its 1st African-American Postmaster June 21, 2010 Menifee, Arkansas

Bro. Harding ArthurByrdwas born in Paris, AR on April 30, 1921. He was the fifth child of Chester and Louella Franklin Byrd. His family moved to Springfield, AR when he was a small child and he attended school at Union Chapel through the 10th grade. He then finished high school at East Side School in Menifee, AR in 1940. He served in the United States Army for more than 3 years in India and was discharged in 1946. Harding served as the 1st African-American Postmaster in the state of Arkansas for 33 years in Menifee AR. He was an avid supporter of Christian education and enjoyed farming and raising cattle. He taught Sunday school, was the song leader and served as the pulpit minister for the Menifee Church of Christ for several years. Hardingleaves to cherish his memory; his wife, Alma of 67 years of Menifee, Arkansas, four sons, Clifford Byrd of Menifee, Arkansas, Michael (Marcie)Byrd of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Joel (Charlene) Byrd of San Antonio, Texas, and Cedric (Phyllis) Byrd of North Little Rock, Arkansas; to daughters, Lynette Byrd of Los Angeles, California and Camellia Curtis (Cedric)of Woodbridge, Virginia, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services, Monday, June 28, 2010 at 2pm at the Menifee Church of Christ, Interment Menifee Community Cemetery. Services entrusted to Wilson & Jarrett Funeral Home 106 E Elm Street, Morrilton, AR 501-354-1662, E-Mail: wilson.jarrett@sbcglobal.net.

Flower Bearers: Dorothy Spears, Wanda Canady, Loraine Brown, Kendra Hunt, Marilyn HuntLorine Donald and Lula Johnson, Pallbearers: Curtis Norwood, Robert Garrett, Robert Bland, Thomas McDaniel, Harry Moore, Chauncy Clayton and Warren Pearson.