Charles A. Byers
Wed, 02/25/2015 - 15:04
News Staff
Charles Byers, 84, passed from this life on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Abilene, Texas. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 26th at the Merkel First United Methodist Church with Pastor Rhonda Greenwood officiating. Burial will be 3:00 p.m. at the Burkett Cemetery in Burkett, Texas, directed by Starbuck Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Charles was born February 2, 1931, in Bienville, Louisiana to William Manton and Carrie Ann (Tabor) Byers. He grew up in a large family with three brothers and seven sisters. Charles attended school and lived in Bienville, Louisiana during his childhood. Later in his youth, the Byers family moved to Albany and then settled in Burkett. He was a lifelong farmer and rancher. He married Patsy Sue Cox of Mc Caulley on June 2, 1950 and they raised four children. Charles entered into the ministry as a supply pastor for the Methodist Church. Between the years of 1959 and 1969 his service to the Lord led him and his family to various places to relay the love of Christ to others. He attended seminary at SMU and served as a pastor for the Methodist Church in Sylvester, Odell, Farmers Valley, Maryneal and Nolan. Many of those he baptized later became ministers and missionaries that continue today in spreading the Good News. Charles was a member of the Merkel First United Methodist Church. The Byers Family moved to Noodle, (Jones County) Texas in 1969 to continue farming and ranching. On May 2, 1981, he married Norma Jean (Booe) Cox. Charles served on the Taylor Telephone Board of Directors for numerous years. He raised cattle and was a talented trainer and lover of horses. An ardent lover of nature, he enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting. Charles always had a song in his heart and was devoted to his children and lovely wife, Norma Jean. Charles is survived by his wife, Norma Byers; sister, Velma Inez Byers of Burkett; sons, Clint Byers and wife Tracy of Sweetwater, Keith Byers and wife Debbie of Santa Fe, Chris Cox
and wife Laura of Buffalo Gap; daughter, Kathy Byers Spencer of Ranger; son-in-law, Dale Farmer of Elm Valley; and his legacy of faith and family will continue forward in the abundant blessing of fourteen grandchildren and twenty-nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; six sisters; his first wife, Patsy Sue; devoted daughter, Patti Byers Farmer; loving son, Ricky
Cox and son-in-law, Bobby Ray Spencer. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Alan Byers, Randy Farmer, Corey Farmer, Dalton Cox, Nathan Byers, Ronnie Byers and Patrick Spencer. Honorary pallbearers will be Taylor Telephone Co-Op directors and employees. Memorials may be made to Merkel First United Methodist Church. You may view and sign the online guestbook at www.starbuckfuneralhome.com