Malford (M.T.) Twain Byrd, aged 89, of Wesson, Mississippi, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2019. He is survived by his son, Michael Byrd, daughter, Debra Reineke, grandchildren, Cristen Walley, Timothy Byrd, Patrick Byrd, Caroline Gutierrez and 10 great-grandchildren. Family members will receive friends in the Suite of Riverwood Family in Brookhaven, MS on Monday, August 5th, from 12:00-2:00pm. Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm.
Born in Copiah County Mississippi, M.T. attended Wesson High School and Copiah Lincoln Junior College and later attended Tulane University in New Orleans. He was married to Louise Ashley Byrd, his wife of 65 years. He went to work for the Illinois Central Railroad and moved to New Orleans in 1954. In 1974 he retired from the railroad and went to work for the Federal Railroad Administration as an inspector of railroads. He worked for the FRA until his final retirement January 1, 1994 upon which they returned to Wesson, MS.
M.T. was a faithful member of the Methodist Church serving as Sunday school teacher for many years and many different positions on the Board of the church. He became a member of Brookhaven First United Methodist Church in June 2009 where he was a regular member until his illness.
M.T. was an active member of J. M. Wesson Lodge #317 for 65+ years serving as their secretary for several years and also Master of the Lodge.
He is a member of The Jackson Scottish Rite. At the Supreme Council Session that met in Washington, D. C. on October 3, 2005 he was elected to receive the Thirty-Third Degree of Scottish Rite Freemasonry. He was recognized for his dedication, devotion and service, not only to Scottish Rite Masonry and to Masonry in general, but to his community, family, friends, church, and career.
He was a member of the Jerusalem Shrine Temple of New Orleans, Louisiana.
M.T. was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Ashley Byrd and grand-daughter, Jennifer Walley.
