Cecil Byrd

Cecil Everett Byrd peacefully passed away surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren on May 22, 2020. His wife Beverly, their two children Allison Byrd Wilkerson (Dean) and Christopher Byrd (Sonja) grandchildren Hayden, Hattie, Thorin, and Sophie along with many nieces and nephews, in-laws, and a lifetime of friendships, so many cherish the beautiful memories he leaves.
He was “Uncle Cecil” to many, he was Deddy to few, and only the privileged got to call him Pawpaw or Papa. His teasing and laughing shaped the lives of many generations and his love and support were unwavering.


He was part of the duo of “Cecil and Beverly” that spent over five happy decades together. They met as sweethearts in Toulminville, Ala. After he returned from Vietnam and she graduated from Montevallo, they married and began a life together. They enjoyed visiting Gulf Shores and Florida beaches, and after Cecil retired they bought a travel trailer that allowed for many wonderful trips when they weren’t taking a cruise or sharing a cup of coffee and stories with Ronnie and Charlene on Sunday evenings at the river.
To others he was Sgt. Byrd or Cecil during his career as a Mobile County Deputy Sheriff under Sheriffs Ray Bridges, Tom Purvis, and Jack Tillman. During his career, he ironed out Mardi Gras security details for decades. The Dauphin Island Fishing Rodeo was a fixture
during his summers. Parking lots all over the county owed their organized events to Cecil and his deputies. His role as a funeral escort and body recovery after Gulf Coast tragedies were regular rituals in his life. He made many memories within the Sheriff’s Department and with the public as the Auxiliary Deputy Coordinator and Sheriff’s Flotilla Coordinator.


As busy as he always was, he still found time to watch from the back row at Taekwondo class and attend dance recitals at the Saenger Theater. He never let a Saturday go uncelebrated without a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts or a bag of Krystals. In all the things he did, Uncle Cecil, Sgt. Byrd, or Deddy he did it with a story and a laugh. We offer our loving Goodbye to Cecil E Byrd.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 12:00 PM from the Chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be offered at www.mobilefuneralservice.com.