John Frank Byford, Sr.

Blytheville

John Frank Byford, Sr., 76, of Blytheville, died Saturday, June 9, 2007, at his home. Born June 15, 1930, in Reverie, Tenn., he was the son of the late James Clyde and Ella Bell Doss Byford. He was a lifelong area resident, a retired inspector for Randall-Textron, and of the Baptist faith. He was a decorated combat veteran of the U.S. Army and a recipient of the Purple Heart.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Glover Hatchell and Robert Deason; and two sisters, Juanita Cunningham and Dorothy Peterson.

Mr. Byford leaves his wife, Joy Johnson Byford, of the home; his children, John and Kathy Byford of Olive Branch, Miss.; Lance and Cindy Byford of Blytheville; Drew and Stacey Byford of Manila; and Gail and Jeff Hudson of Jonesboro; two brothers, Jackie Deason of Burdette and Al Woods of Nashville, Tenn.; two sisters, Lucille Hoover of Flint, Mich., and Debbie Nixon of Gallatin, Tenn.; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Cobb Funeral Home chapel in Blytheville with burial in Dogwood Cemetery.

Condolences may be e-mailed to cobbfuneralhome@sbcglobal.net.