Bennie L. Byrd - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 1/31/2012

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Bennie L. Byrd - Madison Parish, Louisiana 

From Tallulah Madison Journal, May 6, 1966

Bennie Byrd And Horse Drown In Roundaway Bayou Wed.

Funeral Services Held On Thursday Afternoon

Funeral services for Bennie L. Byrd, 30, who accidently drowned in Roundaway Bayou was at 2:30 p. m. 
Thursday at the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bobby Brown officiating. Funeral followed in the 
Providence Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Crothers Funeral Home.

According to reports Mr. Byrd a Tallulah cattleman and an employee of the Tallulah Fire Department 
attempted to ride his horse in a swim across the bayou about two miles east of town, when he lost 
his life as well as the horse. According to the reports residents near the bayou saw the drowning 
and reported the incident to local authorities. The Madison Parish Sheriff's Department and the 
Tallulah Police and Fire Department assisted in the hour-long search for the body. The body was 
recovered about 1:30.

Police officials said the horse was fitted with a martingale, a leather strap that connects from 
the horse's chest to under the throat and prevents the animal from throwing his head back into the 
rider's face. They speculated this could have prevented the drowned animal from holding its head 
above water.

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Agnes Thompson Byrd of Tallulah, two daughters, Beverly Lynn Byrd 
and Angela Gail Byrd, both of Tallulah; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. I. C. Byrd of Delhi; two brothers, 
J. C. Byrd of  Newellton and Melvin D. Byrd of Vicksburg, Miss. and a sister, Miss Connie Sue Byrd 
of Delhi.

Pallberers were Thomas Smith, Lonnie Jennings, Bob Ross, E. V. Parker, Harry Barrett, John Cupit, 
Madison Hattaway and Dr. H. S. Provine. 

Honorary Pallbearers were members of the Tallulah Police and Fire Departments.