John E (Dolly) Byrd, Jr

John E. (Dolly) Byrd, Jr, 77, died Friday at his home.\ \ Visitation is scheduled from 2 until 5 PM Sunday April 15, and Monday from 9 until the 10:00 AM chapel service at Chancellor Funeral Home, Florence. Burial will follow in Briar Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.\ \ A lifelong resident of Rankin County, Mr. Byrd owned and operated his own excavation company. He was an avid outdoorsman and gardener. His joy was giving and being involved with family and his grandchildren. Dolly was a member of Star Baptist Church.\ \ He is preceded in death by his children Kandi Byrd Davis and John Randall Byrd; His parents Henry and Ella Byrd; and siblings Evelyn White, Shelby Byrd, and Huey Byrd.\ \ He is survived by his wife of 56 years Shirley Byrd; daughters Kim Byrd and Karen (Randy) Williams both of Richland; grandchildren Lindsey Williams (James) Morrison, Whittney Davis, Chase Williams, Dyllan Davis, Drake Davis, and Kandin Williams; Brothers Lavon and Joe Byrd; Sisters; Ida Mae Sheppard, Claudine Cooper, Clotile VanGordon, Major Jean Dilmore, Jane Williams, and Janice Henderson; and numerous nieces and nephews.\