Funeral services for Mr. James Augustus Byrom, Sr. affectionately known as “Mr. B” will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the New Hope Baptist Church in Montezuma, Georgia with Pastor Allen Waters officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
On April 2, 1936, Augustus and Ellen West Byrom were blessed with their firstborn child, James Augustus Byrom, Sr. He was born in Macon County, Georgia. At an early age, he confessed Jesus Christ and joined the New Hope Baptist Church, where he served until his death. James sang in the New Hope Baptist Church Adult Choir for many years.
James received his high school education at Ballard-Hudson High School, Macon, Georgia. He furthered his education, graduating from the college that he truly loved and supported — The Fort Valley State College. James graduated with a degree in Agricultural Education.
In 1960, he married the former Dorothy Ann “Dee Dee” Davis. This union was blessed with four sons, Darryl Maurice, James Augustus, Jr., Robert Elliott and Marcus Keith. Until her death in 1994, they shared many loving years together. In 2000, he married the former Mary Mays.
James began his employment at Pabst Brewery in Perry, Georgia. At the time of his retirement in 1988, he was the plant’s Packing Superintendent. After his retirement from Pabst Brewery, he began his teaching career with the Sumter County School System, Americus, Georgia. James taught Agricultural Education at Sumter County High School for twenty years, retiring in 2008.
James continued to stay busy after his retirement. He worked part-time at the Montezuma Motor Company as a car salesman. He was member of the Red Devils Motorcycle Club. In 2008, he was elected as the District 5 representative on the Macon County Board of Education. He proudly served eight years as a board member, attending his last meeting in December 2016. James proudly served as the General Manager at West’s Mortuary, a family business that he truly loved. James was a proud member of the Lamda Lamda Lamda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi. He served his fraternity well by serving as the chapter’s financial secretary.
Having a genuine love for The Fort Valley State University, he was a member of the Macon County Alumni Chapter of The Fort Valley State University. Tailgating in “The Valley” brought him so much excitement. He was also a dedicated supporter of the Dawg Pound, a community-based organization that supports the Macon County High School Bulldogs. James was a dependable member of the Macon County community and was always helping those who needed him. On Thursday, January 26, 2017, his earthly walk came to a peaceful end while a patient at the Houston County Healthcare Center in Warner Robins, Georgia. His parents, his siblings, Julius Byrom and Thomas Jerome Byrom and his son, Wendell Neal, preceded him in death.
Precious memories of his life will forever live on in the hearts of his children: Darryl Maurice Byrom (Amanda), Montezuma, Georgia, James Augustus “Jimmy” Byrom, Jr. (Lula), Montezuma, Georgia, Robert Elliott “Bobby” Byrom (Crystal), Commerce, Georgia, Marcus Keith Byrom (Shalonda), Kennesaw, Georgia, Angela Shelley, Montezuma, Georgia and Curtis Caldwell, Montezuma, Georgia; two grandchildren with whom he was instrumental in their upbringing, Nicholas Byrom and Alexandria Byrom; his grandchildren Sarah Byrom, Christian Byrom, Joseph Byrom, Briana Byrom, Kennedy Byrom, Tywonn Shelley, Alisha Shelley, Curtis Caldwell, Jr., Christopher Caldwell, Dekeldric Felton, Kera Caldwell and Marissa Caldwell; six great-grandchildren; his sister and brother-in-law: Bessie and Jessie Warren, Montezuma, GA; his uncle, Frederick West, Jackson, Georgia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Reverend Lem Wright (Marie), Smithville, Georgia, Dorothy Sneed (Willie), Desoto, Georgia, Lonnie Wight, Cobb, Georgia, Virginia Chatmon (Archie), Albany, Georgia, Ronnie Wright, DeSoto, Georgia, Bajor Wright, DeSoto, Georgia, Jeremiah Carter (Betty), Brown Mills, New Jersey, Lewis Gene Carter (Constance), Miami Florida and Clinton Williams, Miami, Florida; a host of nieces, nephews, special cousins and many devoted friends.
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