Melvin Owens Byrd, Jr; affectionately known as Blootsy, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at the Bowling Green Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born February 8, 1925 to the late Susie Rollins Byrd Jeter and Melvin Byrd, Sr. in Essex County, Virginia. His brother Everette H. Byrd (Ida) and sisters Thelma Byrd Johnson (Samuel) and Pauline Rollins Ware (Clemon) preceded him in death.

Blootsy was educated in Caroline County Public Schools. He attended the local two room Central Point School. After graduating from Union High School in Bowling Green, Virginia. He enlisted in the United States Navy which took him from Central point to several Florida ports. He particularly loved the hot sunny days in Florida and had many stories to tell of various bus and train rides through the segregated South.

He joined St. Stephens Baptist Church at an early age and was baptized in the Byrd's Mill Pond as were many family members in generations before and after him. Blootsy served his church as a Deacon, Chairman of the Best Day's Work Rally, member of the Cemetery Committee and as a tenor voice in many of the church choirs over the years. A strong supporter of the Church Sunday School, he could be found most Sunday mornings leading the Sunday School in song.

On October 9, 1946, Blootsy was joined in holy matrimony to Rebecca Ercelle Deyo. This union was blessed with two children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Last October, Blootsy and Ercelle celebrated 70 years of marriage with the family and enjoyed a presidential proclamation from President Barack Obama.

Blootsy was employed at the Department of Navy, Navy Air Systems Command, Naval Ordinance Station in Indian Head, Maryland for 25 years. Known for his strong work ethics, he took great pride in the multiple years of recognition for perfect attendance even with the two hour commute one way across the 301 Bridge, often in rain, hail, sleet and snow. Never one to be late, his supervisors noted that they could set their clocks by his arrival.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Rebecca Ercelle Deyo Byrd of Bowling Green, VA; a daughter, Joyce Byrd Cofield, of Arlington, VA; a son, Melvin O Byrd, III (Barbara Anne Brown) of King and Queen, VA; a granddaughter, Nicole Cofield Law (Anthony) of Highpoint, N.C.; two grandsons, Melvin O. Byrd, IV of Bowling Green, VA and Jerry Brown (Liz) of Germantown, MD; two great-grandchildren, Alexsandra P. Law and Austin Brown; a brother-in-law, Boyd D. Deyo (Becky) of Bowling Green, VA; a sister-in-law, Louise Deyo of Blainesburg, MD; a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Family will receive friends at 1 p.m. followed by the Homegoing Service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at St. Stephen's Baptist Church, 29436 Sparta Road, Milford, VA 22514. Pastor Michael Ferguson will officiate and the Chaplain Colonel (RET) Marvin Mills, Sr. of Mullica Hill, New Jersey will deliver the eulogy. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.