Mr. Dallas Travia Byrd, 85

STEDMAN Dallas Travis Byrd, 85, of Stedman, NC, and formerly of Roanoke, VA, graduated from this life on April 18, 2013, in Fayetteville, NC, and went home to be with his loving Lord and many family members and friends in heaven. Dallas was born in Erwin, NC, on January 15, 1928. He was preceded in death by his parents, John L. Byrd and Victoria B. Byrd; his wife and love of his life Juanita D. Byrd; and two brothers, Rev. T.L. Byrd and Herbert H. Byrd. Those left to treasure the memory of Dallas' life are four children, Tony Byrd and wife Pam of Roanoke, VA, Rev. Andy Byrd and wife Zella of Roanoke, VA, Vickie Byrd-Jones of Leland, NC, and Travia Williams of Greenville, NC; eight grandchildren, Jayna Byrd Rossi and husband Caleb, Matthew Byrd and wife Heather, Danielle Nester and husband Travis, Drew Byrd and fianc? Samantha, Luke Byrd, Juanita Byrd, Stephanie Shrader, and Ashley Suggs; one great-grandchild, Travia Byrd; one sister, Evelyn C. Bauer; several nephews and nieces, and many dear long-time friends who are like family. Dallas had a life-long passion for learning, and he especially loved learning the Word of God. For many years, he served as an adult Sunday School teacher, deacon, and member of the Building Committee for New Life Christian Ministries in Roanoke, VA. He also served as an occasional adult Sunday School teacher and active member at Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church for many years. He loved to tell people about Jesus Christ, and what the Lord had done for him. Dallas also loved to play golf, and was good at it. He enjoyed raising and training bird dogs, and bird and deer hunting, and he was a great marksman. Dallas loved to travel, especially with his wife Juanita. Dallas served in the U.S. Navy, and was a veteran of World War II. He was an expert craftsman in tile, terrazzo, and marble, and was the Founder and President of Byrd's Terrazzo and Tile Company in Roanoke, VA. He later became an Owner/Operator of McDonald's, and built and operated the first McDonald's in Hartsville, SC. Several years later, he was the Founder and President of Mount Pleasant Land and Auction Company based in Stedman, NC, and later retired from this business. Dallas was a former member of the Cumberland County (NC) Planning Board, and a former member of the Board of Development for Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, GA. He was also a land developer that established housing subdivisions in the Roanoke, VA area - including Dal-Nita Hills in Botetourt County, named after him and his wife Juanita - and in the Stedman, NC area. Dallas had been a resident at the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Fayetteville, NC, since January 2008. He had many friends there, and wonderful staff and caregivers who will also miss him greatly. One special nurse, Octavia Powell, provided loving care and encouragement to him from his very first day at the NC State Veterans Home, and he loved her like a daughter. Dallas' children and family wishes to express their great appreciation to everyone who provided such a strong support network for him in his later years. The church family of Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church, and Mr. Dave Gilmore, provided regular and special companionship to Dallas that helped him stay encouraged and strengthened. The family will receive friends Sunday, April 21, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church, 432 Hillsboro Street, Stedman, NC 28391. The funeral service will immediately follow at 7:00 PM at the Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church, and will be led by Rev. Andy Byrd. Services will be provided by Butler Funeral Home in Stedman. The graveside service will be held Tuesday, April 23 at 3:00 PM, at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, VA 24012, and will be led by Rev. Andy Byrd. Pallbearers will be the U.S. Military Honor Guard. Services will be provided by Oakey's Funeral Home North in Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to either: Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church Family Life Center building project, or New Life Christian Ministries (Roanoke, VA) Uganda Project. The family will receive friends Sunday, April 21, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church, 432 Hillsboro Street, Stedman, NC 28391. The funeral service will immediately follow at 7:00 PM at the Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church, and will be led by Rev. Andy Byrd. Services will be provided by Butler Funeral Home in Stedman. The graveside service will be held Tuesday, April 23 at 3:00 PM, at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, VA 24012, and will be led by Rev. Andy Byrd. Pallbearers will be the U.S. Military Honor Guard. Services will be provided by Oakey's Funeral Home North in Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to either: Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church Family Life Center building project, or New Life Christian Ministries (Roanoke, VA) Uganda Project.