Donald Jackson Byrd

Donald Jackson Byrd, Sr., 77 of Bunnlevel, passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Clayton House. 

He was born July 13, 1944, in Cumberland County, NC to the late Lilly Boseman and Richard Edward Byrd, Sr. 

Donald attended North Carolina State University and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Campbell University. He worked for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture for 28 years. 

He was a devoted and faithful lifelong member of Bunnlevel Presbyterian Church. Donald was a member of Bunnlevel Volunteer Fire Department for 38 years, where he served as Chief for many of those years. He was a member of Lillington Lodge #302 for 42 years. He was also a member of the Harnett County Shrine Club for 42 years, and a member of the Sudan Racers for 28 years. He found great joy driving his #11 Bill Elliott racecar to support Shriners Children’s Hospital. 

Donald was always willing to help others and he would say “If I can make one person smile today, I’ve done my job”. He was very witty, full of humor, and he lived by the words, “Work Smarter, Not Harder”. He enjoyed watching the NC State Wolfpack, the Dallas Cowboys, and golf. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Sue McArtan Byrd of the home; his son Jackson (Heather) of Bunnlevel; his daughter Donna (John) of Leland; his son Ricky (Jennifer) of Bunnlevel; grandchildren Carson, Eli, Brantley & Emelia Byrd, all of Bunnlevel. 

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm – 8:00pm on Tuesday, December 28th at O’Quinn Peebles Phillips Funeral Home in Lillington, NC and other times at the home. A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, December 29th at Bunnlevel Presbyterian Church with Pastor Tom Brown officiating. A graveside service with Masonic Rites will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park in Fayetteville. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital (950 W Fair Rd, Greenville SC 29605) or Bunnlevel Presbyterian Church (PO Box 111, Bunnlevel, NC 28323). 

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