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- Elmer attended welding trade school in Gadsden, Alabama, finishing in April 1937. He got a job with Dorsey Trailers in Elba, Alabama making, 25 cents an hour. His paycheck was $10 a week and his board cost him $6 a week. As soon as he saved up enough money, he went to Florida and got a job making 45 cents an hour plus board. He welded on barges, storage tanks, and ships. During World War II, he was a welder in the Charleston Navy Yard, repairing damaged Navy ships. Later, he worked in paper mills for 25 years, welding high pressure tubing in boilers. Elmer retired with 44 years experience as a welder. When I interviewed him, Elmer displayed an excellent memory, recalling details of experiences from his youth - at age 91!
-- Elmer Burns Lammon.
- From McClane Funeral Services website (http://www.mclanefuneralservices.com/obituary/Elmer-Robert-Byrd/Valdosta-GA/944005)
Elmer Robert Byrd, 100, of Valdosta, passed away Thursday, June 16, 2011, at South Georgia Medical Center after a short illness.
He was born March 5, 1911 in New Brockton, AL, a son of the late James Robert and Elizabeth Lammons Byrd. For twenty-five years he was employed as a Welder at Owens Illinois, retiring in 1976. He loved fishing and traveling. Mr. Byrd was a member of the First Baptist Church, Valdosta, a former member of Lee Street Baptist Church, and a member of St. John the Baptist Masonic Lodge #184.
He is survived by three sons, Robert Morris Byrd and wife Marie of Opelika, AL, James Arthur Byrd and wife Vickie of Lake Park, and Jerry Nichols Byrd of Valdosta; three grandsons, Duke Byrd and wife Tara of Birmingham, AL, David Byrd and wife Collette of Auburn, AL, and Jamie Byrd and wife Renee of Lake Park; two granddaughters, Joanna Phelps and husband Dan of Lake Park, and Emily Byrd of Lake Park; three great-grandchildren, Hannah Phelps, Bray Phelps, and Aden Byrd; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Emma Lee Nichols Byrd, four sisters and one brother.
Funeral Services for Mr. Byrd will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 18, 2011, in the Chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with Dr. Phil West, Rev. Mac Weaver, and Rev. Eldridge Lyons officiating. Interment will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. this evening (Friday) at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please consider contributions to Hospice of South Georgia, 2263 Pineview Drive Valdosta, GA 31602. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home. - See more at: http://www.mclanefuneralservices.com/obituary/Elmer-Robert-Byrd/Valdosta-GA/944005#sthash.FPKWZkxU.dpuf
- 1920 Coffee Co., Alabama Census,Clintonville, Subdistrict : New Brockton B-Info from sister, Gladys Martin, Rt#1 Box 227, Coffee Springs, Alabama. Info from self.
Note from the author (Elmer Burns Lammon), based upon a telephone interview April, 2002.
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1911 - 2011 (100 years)
