Funeral services for R.A. Byars, 91, were Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Arcadia with Bro. Jeff Hoffman officiating. Interment will be held today, Wednesday, at 11 a.m. in Pinecrest Memorial Garden in Bruce, with full military honors. Parker Memorial of Bruce is in charge of burial.
He was born October 5, 1922, in Pittsboro, to Cecil and Veleria Stewart Byars. He entered into rest July 3, 2014, in Ruston, LA. He graduated high school in Marks, and went on to Delta State College to receive his BA degree in Business Education, and Masters degree in school administration and Physical Education from the University of Mississippi. He served three years in the U.S. Navy in WWII in the European Theater. He began teaching in 1949 in Mississippi. In 1955, he moved to Arcadia and began teaching business courses and coached basketball for 13 years. In his last few years of teaching, he served as assistant principal. He retired in 1978. Upon retirement, he enjoyed fishing and gardening. One of his greatest joys was his daily visits with each resident of Leslie Lakes Retirement Center and his 2-3 times a week visits with the residents of Willow Ridge Nursing Home. He was an active member of First Baptist Church in Arcadia, serving as a teacher of men’s bible study, usher and member of the Joy Club. In 2009, R.A. received the Heritage Award from the Bienville Chamber of Commerce.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Clara Bell Miller and Martha Bernice McKelory, and brothers, Tommie, Robert, Russell, Stewart and William Byars. He is survived by special loving friend, Betty Darsey, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Pallbearers: Bobby Joe King, Jerry Simpson, Billy Wayne Caskey, E.E. “Moe” Letlow, Jr., Curtis McCrary, Tim Duchaney and Gary Carlisle. Honorary pallbearers: members of his Sunday School Class, Roger Culbertson, Larry Jordan, J.T. Johnson, Danny Roy Moore, Alvin Bramlet, Wade Perritt, Clay Pickett and Joe Storey.
Memorial donations may made to World Hunger C/O First Baptist Church, 2249 Hazel St, Arcadia, LA 71001.