Thomas J. Gouge

Thomas married Fannie Murphy about 1873 in , Yancey County, , North Carolina. Fannie was born on 7 Mar 1856 in , Yancey County, , North Carolina; died on 16 May 1938 in , Yancey County, , North Carolina; was buried in Blue Rock Baptist Church Cemetery, , Yancey County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Bertha married Charles E. Byrd on 18 Mar 1906 in , Yancey County, , North Carolina. Charles (son of Waightstill A. Byrd and Elitha Sophronia (Byrd)) was born about 1877 in , Yancey County, , North Carolina; died on 30 Jun 1953 in Unicoi County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Byrd Branch Cemetery, , Yancey County, North Caroina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Velva Willis on 31 Aug 1935 in Unicoi County, , , Tennessee. Velva (daughter of David Ephriam Willis and Ida Myrtle Jones) was born about 1915 in Unicoi County, , , Tennessee; died about 2005; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, , Unicoi County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
JONESBOROUGH - Joan Byrd King, age 80, Jonesborough, formerly of Erwin, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 26, 2021. She was a native of Erwin and a daughter of the late John L. and Velva Willis Byrd. Joan moved to Jonesborough thirty-two years ago.

Joan and her husband, James were co-owners and operators of The Elms Restaurant for more than twenty years. She was a very active member of Canah Chapel Freewill Baptist Church for many years. Joan was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary and the Ladies Fellowship Circle. Over the years, Joan taught Sunday School for various age groups. Joan loved her church and church family.

She loved animals, sewing, crocheting, quilting, canning, cooking, baking, gardening and tending flowers. Joan was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend.

In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by two brothers: J.L. and Kyle Byrd; two sisters: Robbie and Doris Byrd.

Survivors include her husband of sixty years, James King; one son, Jeffrey King (Victoria), Erwin; one granddaughter, Joy King; two grandsons: Riley and E.J. White; one brother, Harold Byrd (Mae Bell), Flag Pond; two sisters: Olga Edwards and Bertha Byrd, both of Erwin; brothers-in-law: Alvin King (Jody) and Gary King (Robin); sister-in-law, Diana Byrd; many special nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly also survive.

The family will receive friends from 11:00-1:00 P.M. on Monday, August 30, 2021, in the Robert Ledford Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Mark Simmons and Joan’s nephew, Reverend Charles D. Byrd will officiate the 1:00 P.M. service. Interment will follow in the Roselawn Memory Gardens. Family and members of Canah Chapel Freewill Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Elders of the church.

Notes:

Buried:
Cremated and ashes scattered on the farm as per request of Charles Cyle Byrd.
Charles Cyle Byrd, 73, Jonesborough, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2018, at his home while he was surrounded by his family. He was a native of Erwin and graduated from Unicoi County High School in 1963. Cyle is a son of the late John Lawrence Byrd, Sr. and Velva Willis Byrd. He moved to Jonesborough in 1984.

Cyle retired from Hoover Ball in 2007 after thirty-four years of service.

He loved to fish, hunt, farm, “tinker around” in his shed and spend time with his family. Cyle was a gentle, caring man who would help anyone he could.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, John Lawrence Byrd, Jr. “J.L.” and one sister, Robbie M. Byrd.

Cyle left behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of over fifty-one years, Diana Byrd; three sons: David Byrd and wife, Anneta, Daniel Byrd, all of Johnson City and Matthew Byrd, Jonesborough; two daughters: Wendy Tesnear and husband, Duane, Limestone, Michelle Broyles and husband, Daniel, Jonesborough; one brother, Harold Byrd and wife, Mae Bell, Flag Pond; four sisters: Bertha Byrd, Erwin, Joan King and husband, James, Jonesborough, Olga Edwards and Dorris Byrd, both of Erwin; seven grandchildren: Samantha, Jessica, Kayla and husband, Joshua, Kelsey, Shaylan, Heather and Cooper; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Notes:

Buried:
Dorris Byrd, age 69, Erwin, passed away Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at her home. She was a life-long resident of Unicoi County and a daughter of the late John Lawrence Byrd, Sr, and Velva Willis Byrd.

Dorris retired from NFS after twenty plus years of service. In her younger years she enjoyed playing softball. She loved cooking, gardening, and fishing. Dorris was a Christian and formerly attended Clear Branch Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers: John “J.L.” Lawrence Byrd, Jr and Charles Cyle Byrd; one sister, Robbie Byrd.

Dorris leaves behind to cherish her memory, one brother, Harold Byrd and wife, Mae Bell of Flag Pond; three sisters: Bertha Byrd and Olga Edwards both of Erwin, and Joan King and husband, James of Jonesborough; several special nieces and nephews also survive.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM Tuesday March 23, 2021 in the Robert Ledford Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM. Reverend Charles David Byrd and Reverend Craig Shelton will officiate. Music will be provided by Courtney Harris. Pallbearers will be Harold Byrd, Daniel Byrd, Matt Byrd, Tim Byrd, John Byrd, and TK Sallings. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Byrd, Lonnie Harris, Duane Teasner, her many friends and former co-workers from NFS. Committal will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.