James Lewis "Buddy" Byars, Sr., 83, of 216 Camp Ferry Road, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at his residence.

Born in Shelby, NC, he was the son of the late William Shell Byars and Vernie McSwain Byars. He retired from the U. S. Army after 23 years of service, also retired from the Rutherford County Department of Corrections and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department. He was a member of Lavonia Baptist Church where he started the Veterans Memorial, was a Mason, and loved his family.

Surviving is a son, James Lewis Byars, Jr. of Oregon; a daughter, Stacey Byars Glover of Mooresboro; a brother, Shell Byars, Jr. (Rene) of Blacksburg; a sister, Margie McGuire (Steve) of Mooresboro; nine grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Fae M. Childs and three sisters, Patsy Blanton, Sylvia Lee Byars and Edith North.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Monday, March 11, 2024 at Lavonia Baptist Church. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11:00 AM at the Church with Reverend David Slaton and Reverend Tripp Biggerstaff officiating. Interment, with full military honors, will be in the Lavonia Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Shriner Children's Hospital, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

The family will be at the residence, 216 Camp Ferry Road, Mooresboro, NC 28114.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com