R.A. Byars

Mr. R. A. Byars, 91, of Arcadia, LA., entered into rest on Thursday, July 3, 2014 in Ruston, LA. He was born on October 5, 1922 in Pittsboro, MS. to Cecil and Veleria Stewart Byars. RA graduated high school in Marks, MS and went to Delta State College to receive his BA degree in Business Education, and a Masters degree in School Administration and Physical Education from the University of Mississippi. He served three years in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the European Theater. R.A. began teaching in 1949 in Mississippi. In 1955, he moved to Arcadia and began teaching business courses and coached basketball for thirteen years. In his last few years of teaching, he served as assistant Principal. He retired in 1978. Upon retirement, he enjoyed fishing and gardening. One of his greatest joys was his daily visits with each resident of Leslie Lakes Retirement Center and his 2-3 times a week visits with the residents of Willow Ridge Nursing Home. R.A. was an active member of First Baptist Church in Arcadia, serving as a teacher of the men’s bible study, an usher and a member of the Joy Club. In 2009, R.A. received the Heritage Award from the Bienville Chamber of Commerce.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Clara Bell Miller and Martha Bernice McKelroy, and by brothers Tommie, Robert, Russell, Stewart and William Byars.
He is survived by special loving friend Betty Darsey and numerous nephews and nieces
Pallbearers will be Bobby Joe King, Jerry Simpson, Billy Wayne Caskey, E.E. “Moe” Letlow, Jr., Curtis McCrary, Tim Duchaney and Gary Carlisle.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of his Sunday School Class, Roger Culbertson, Larry Jordan, J.T. Johnson, Danny Roy Moore, Alvin Bramlet, Wade Perritt, Clay Pickett and Joe Storey.
Graveside service will be held 11 AM on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, in The Pinecrest Memorial Garden in Calhoun City, MS., with military honors. Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce, MS., has charge of the arrangements.
The family requests no flowers, but a donation made to World hunger C/O First Baptist Church, 2249 Hazel St. Arcadia, LA. 71001.