Martin Byrd

Douglas Martin Byrd, Sr., age 74 died Monday, December 13, 2021. A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 16th at Darlington Memory Gardens, with Military Honors provided by the U.S. Air Force. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Belk Funeral Home, and other times at 114 Carol Dr. Darlington.

Martin was born in Darlington on April 8, 1947. He was the son of the late R.L. Byrd and Madge Martin Byrd. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force from 1966-69; and then retired from Nucor Steel and later with Nesbitt Transportation. He was a Mason, a Shriner, and was director of the Jazz Morticians. Martin enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and loved all of his dogs.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Martha Rae DeFee Byrd; son, Doug Byrd of Darlington; grandchildren, Austin Byrd of Cades, SC and Trey Byrd of Tucson, AZ; and many nieces and nephews.

Martin was the last survivor of eight children, Gussie Moore, Nell Gable, Katherine Ward, Frank, Fred, George, and Joe Byrd; and a nephew, Larry Byrd.

Memorials may be made to the Darlington County Humane Society Admin, PO Box 1655 Hartsville, SC 29551, the DCHS Rescue, PO Box 503 Darlington, SC 29540, or to McLeod Hospice, PO Box 100551 Florence, SC 29501.