Howard A. Byrd age 95, of Banner Elk passed away Monday, April 15, 2024, at Watauga Medical Center.

He was born February 9, 1929, in Watauga County, a son of the late Benjamin Samuel Byrd and Rhoda Townsend Byrd. He was a heavy equipment operator and a member of Watauga Baptist Church.

He is survived by two daughters, Janet McLean and husband Bruce of Banner Elk and Vanessa Church and Sam Greer of Wilkesboro; one son, Kim Byrd and wife Linda of Boone; grandchildren, Tracy McLean, Scott McLean and Travis McLean and wife Angela, Curtis Church, Toby Church, Clint Byrd and wife Lauren, and Morgan Trivette and husband Paul, and one step-grandson Marshall Hopper and wife Tiffany, Great-grandchildren, Chase, Holden, and Austin McLean, Rhett Church, Emma Dugger, Harper Trivette, Lila Byrd, Jake Byrd, and Audrey Byrd, step-great-grandchildren, Cameron Fletcher and Mollie Hopper , great-great-grandchildren, Peyton Million and Finn McLean and one sister, Flo Willard of Glenside, Pennsylvania.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Benjamin Samuel Byrd and Rhoda Townsend Byrd, his wife, Blanche Byrd, one granddaughter, Kelsie McLean Million , brothers, Will, Claude, Clyde, and Doc Byrd, three sisters, Rose Crawford, Lily Allison, and Daisy Gragg and one son-in-law, William "Bill" Church.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Chris Wilson will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00, prior to the service.

The family would like to thank Medi Home Hospice and Dr. Richard DeLeon for their care and service they provided.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Watauga Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 10781 NC-105, Banner Elk, NC 28604.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.